An absolute beauty of a book: an illustrated A-to-Z collection of over 400 curious, eccentric and hilarious words and phrases used by international players, village and club cricketers, a perfect handbook for the cricket fan, the wordsmith and the humourist.
Beer Snake, Barnes Wallace, Bunsen and Buzzers … Featherbed, Ferret, Flamingo and Footler … Pickpocket, Pie Chucker, Pongo and Pudding ... Teapot, Toe-Smasher, Tonto and Twiddler … The language of cricket is as rich as its history.
Cricket jargon has ballooned in recent years, thanks to round-the-clock global television coverage, the expansion of competitions, new technological devices and live online reporting of Tests, one-day internationals and T20s.
This charming collection brings together in one volume all the current buzzwords and time-honoured banter of the players, fans and commentators and delivers it to the cricket lover’s armchair, smartphone, loo and bedside table.
From Lord’s to Lahore, Delhi to Durham, Melbourne to Manchester, Cape Town to the Caribbean, cricket is a universal language. Packed with curious words and expressions, new and old, zany and downright rude, this compilation will delight cricket fans the world over.
Sample entries:
Banter – Euph. Word casting a light veil over the bitter exchange of insults taking place between the batsman and assorted fielders. See also Niggle, Exchange of Pleasantries, Verbals
Camel – Graceless and unathletic fielder, often ageing fast bowler, dispatched to a distant backwater of the outfield in which he is least likely to make a fool of himself. See also Cart Horse
Nighthawk - A Nightwatchman on crack cocaine who comes to the wicket looking to slog 30 runs from 12 balls rather than block 30 for one. Term said to be coined by England quick Stuart Broad in the Bazball era of coach Brendon McCullum.
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Review
‘Every sport is a language and cricket more than most. In Niall Edworthy, it has found a very entertaining translator.’ Tim de Lisle, former editor of Wisden
‘Fabulous! Very, very entertaining… a brilliant collection of knowledge and humour, an education for any budding cricketer and a must-read for all cricket anoraks.’ Chris Adams, ex-England, Derbyshire and Sussex
‘In a game proud of its literature, this book stands out for bringing out the marvellous eccentricity of this unique game. Meticulously researched, this is a gift every cricket lover will savour as it will both educate and amuse them. An ideal book to illustrate a game that has always been willing to laugh at itself.’ Mihir Bose, Author and Broadcaster
'.. an A to Z of names and terms by Niall Edworthy with cute little illustrations by Mudd Bexley. From 'Amidships' and 'Barnes Wallace' to 'Wobble Seam' and 'Zone (in the)'.... one for the downstairs loo.' Huw Turbervill, Editor, The Cricket Magazine
About the Author
Niall Edworthy is one of the UK's most prolific authors and successful ghostwriters. A former reporter for broadsheet newspapers and the international wire agencies AFP and Reuters, Niall began writing books in 1997. He is the author of almost 50 titles, most for the big publishing houses, many of them ghosted for well-known names (actors, soldiers, musicians, sportsmen & television personalities), others for ‘ordinary’ people with extraordinary stories. He has written in a wide range of genres, mainly Biography, History and Natural History but also Humour, Sport and recently, in Fiction. His first novel, Otto Eckhart’s Ordeal, was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Best Published Novel Award 2021. He will soon be publishing his second novel. He lives in West Sussex, UK.
Niall Edworthy is one of the UK's most prolific authors and successful ghostwriters. A former reporter for broadsheet newspapers and the international wire agencies AFP and Reuters, Niall began writing books in 1997. He is the author of almost 50 titles, most for the big publishing houses, many of them ghosted for well-known names (actors, soldiers, musicians, sportsmen & television personalities), others for 'ordinary' people with extraordinary stories. He has written in a wide range of genres, mainly Biography, History and Natural History but also Humour, Sport and recently, in Fiction. His first novel, Otto Eckhart's Ordeal, was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Best Published Novel Award 2021. He will soon be publishing his second novel.
Mudd Bexley is the pen name for Izzy Barrett who has been shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2024
