Bookshelf

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29913, 29 August 1962, Page 11

Bookshelf

M. C. Cowdrey is among the most popular as well as accomplished of English cricketers, and the good impression he has given on his tours is not dispelled by his first innings as an author, TIME FOR REFLECTION (Frederick Muller, Ltd., 207 pp.). Cowdrey has written the book himself, and it is as pleasant

and entertaining to read as Cowdrey ~ himself is to watch. This is not a book for the sensation seeker, but Cowdrey is extremely frank about his own problems and failures. He has an easy, attractive style, and his book will please cricketers everywhere save, perhaps, ambitious parents. For Cowdrey believes that, 99 times in 100, the prospective test player shows signs of greatness by the age of 12. The 8.8. C. commentator, Rex Alston, has covered unusual ground in his WATCHING CRICKET (Phoenix House, Ltd., 115 pp.). This little book is described as a viewer’s guide to cricket, its intention being to provide the cricket spectator with more enjoyment in watching the game, by acquiring a better knowledge of its intricacies. The dedicated cricket enthusiast will spurn Mr Alston’s offering, but there must be many, if crowd comments are a fair basis of judgment, who would benefit considerably from this short course.