How Cricket United a Divided Nation
Stephen Brenkley
Ebook version
Publication date: 21 October 2024
Britain in 1926 was a troubled country. Revolution was in the air as the catastrophic after-effects of the First World War continued. A General Strike in May soon ended, but it left a legacy of bitterness and recrimination. Millions of workers across many industries were sacked or locked out, and coal mining came to a standstill. Poverty was widespread, but it lived alongside plenty.
Against this backdrop Australia’s cricketers arrived to defend the Ashes that they had won decisively in all three series since the war. Cricket in England, like everything else, was still recovering after the conflict. The whole population was desperate for success as interest in the matches transcended class and status. At every venue crowds queued all night to watch the Tests. They were rewarded with great individual performances from some of the greatest players of all time – and it all went down to the wire. The Ashes depended on the final Fifth Test, to be played to a finish. The country held its collective breath.
Stephen Brenkley captures the drama of the series, delves into the characters of the players and shows how in such troubled times the game of cricket briefly united the nation.
About the author: Stephen Brenkley is former cricket correspondent of The Independent On Sunday and The Independent. He lives in Barnard Castle where he is president of the town’s cricket club.
PRAISE FOR A STRIKING SUMMER
A deeply immersive and impressive piece of work.
Jon Hotten, Wisden Cricket Monthly
This is… a truly outstanding book, and one which I recommend without the slightest hesitation.
Martin Chandler, CricketWeb
[In 1926] the country was deeply divided politically and deeply fearful. They needed something to unite them and give them hope. That something proved to be the Australian cricket tour. [Stephen] Brenkley skilfully interweaves these two strands throughout the book in a way that is always clear and fascinating, and never becomes laboured or boring. I hope [he] will find other cricket seasons to delight and instruct us with in the future. I would call this one a masterpiece.
John Ward, The Cricket Statistician (journal of the ACS)
A Striking Summer is another terrific contribution to a golden era for such retrospectives. Readers should relish the ride.”
Richard Whitehead, The Cricketer
Stephen Brenkley has produced a masterpiece… quite superb.
Steve Dolman, Peakfan’s blog
£4.99
Description
How Cricket United a Divided Nation
Stephen Brenkley
Ebook version
Publication date: 21 October 2024
Britain in 1926 was a troubled country. Revolution was in the air as the catastrophic after-effects of the First World War continued. A General Strike in May soon ended, but it left a legacy of bitterness and recrimination. Millions of workers across many industries were sacked or locked out, and coal mining came to a standstill. Poverty was widespread, but it lived alongside plenty.
Against this backdrop Australia’s cricketers arrived to defend the Ashes that they had won decisively in all three series since the war. Cricket in England, like everything else, was still recovering after the conflict. The whole population was desperate for success as interest in the matches transcended class and status. At every venue crowds queued all night to watch the Tests. They were rewarded with great individual performances from some of the greatest players of all time – and it all went down to the wire. The Ashes depended on the final Fifth Test, to be played to a finish. The country held its collective breath.
Stephen Brenkley captures the drama of the series, delves into the characters of the players and shows how in such troubled times the game of cricket briefly united the nation.
About the author: Stephen Brenkley is former cricket correspondent of The Independent On Sunday and The Independent. He lives in Barnard Castle where he is president of the town’s cricket club.
PRAISE FOR A STRIKING SUMMER
A deeply immersive and impressive piece of work.
Jon Hotten, Wisden Cricket Monthly
This is… a truly outstanding book, and one which I recommend without the slightest hesitation.
Martin Chandler, CricketWeb
[In 1926] the country was deeply divided politically and deeply fearful. They needed something to unite them and give them hope. That something proved to be the Australian cricket tour. [Stephen] Brenkley skilfully interweaves these two strands throughout the book in a way that is always clear and fascinating, and never becomes laboured or boring. I hope [he] will find other cricket seasons to delight and instruct us with in the future. I would call this one a masterpiece.
John Ward, The Cricket Statistician (journal of the ACS)
A Striking Summer is another terrific contribution to a golden era for such retrospectives. Readers should relish the ride.”
Richard Whitehead, The Cricketer
Stephen Brenkley has produced a masterpiece… quite superb.
Steve Dolman, Peakfan’s blog
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