Betrayal: The Struggle For Cricket’s Soul by Graeme Wright lands on the |> SALE <| shelves in my shop.
H. F. & G. Witherby, 1993, Hardback in dust wrapper.
2nd impression. [First Edition: 1993] Illustrated by way of: Black and White Photographs;
From the cover: In 1963 English cricket abolished the distinction between the amateur and the professional in the first-class county game. If, thirty years on, this seems little more than social semantics, it effected a greater change in the game than one simply of social status. It influenced how county cricket in England was played, administered and financed.
In the same year, a one-day knockout competition, with sponsorship, was introduced, so beginning the commercialization of cricket. Over the next three decades sponsorship, broadcasting fees and the marketing of the game brought millions of pounds into English cricket. But they also changed the nature of the county game so that it became a somewhat distant relation to the meadow game with the beautiful name that was played and watched for unsophisticated recreation.
With original, often controversial arguments and ideas accompanied by a parade of Test and county players, Betrayal confronts the crucial questions which concern todays cricket-lovers. David Cower, Micky Stewart, Tom Graveney, lan Botham, Carry Sobers, Geoff Boycott, Ted Dexter, Ray Illingworth and Graham Gooch are just some of the cricketers of the past thirty years who come and go as Graeme Wright shrewdly analyses the problems cricket has faced. Along the way appears a picture which is as much of England as of her national game.
Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. Front flap slightly creased. Top edge of the text block tanned.
Green boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 223 pages. Index. 9½” x 6¼”.
Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!
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