The Art of Captaincy
By Mike Brearley (2001 edition)
published by Channel 4 Books / Pan Macmillan Ltd 2001

This book is described in film director Sam Mendes' 2001 foreword as "one of a kind" and it is, with books giving an insight into the mystical world of captaincy representing something of a curious gap in the world of cricket literature.  Seemingly inspired by the Aussies' eagerly-anticipated and imminent arrival in England in 2001, this is a re-print of Brearley's 1985 classic covering all aspects from how to choose a captain, through selection, decision-making, batting tactics, fielding/bowling tactics and so on.  It is brought up to date by Mendes new foreword and a thoughtful new pre-introduction by Brearley himself.  

Brearley defines his theme in fairly general terms so as to make the book enjoyable and readable to the average cricket fan.  It is thus packed with insight and anecdotes, which although relevant and interesting, are unlikely to induce much by way of recall on the part of the reader, whereas they surely did 15 years ago.  Indeed, one cannot read the book without being aware of the passing of time.  So much has changed (in cricket) yet so much remains valid.

In some areas it certainly seems dated now, for example Brearley's views on the value of net practice, the role of a team manager and in lamenting the demise of the leg spinner.  This is however a harsh judgement: the game has become considerably more professional in the past 15 years and, as arguably the first to turn captaincy into a genuine skill of its own, Brearley was certainly at the forefront of this process. Very much ahead of its time then, it probably still remains the best manual on the job.

If you are a genuine cricket fan but only ever read one book on cricket, then this could possibly be it.

© idontlikecricket.co.uk    2002