Australian Test Cricketers: An A-Z profiling every cricketer who's donned the Baggy Green

Description

Australian Test Cricketers is not only a complete illustrated player reference, it is hundreds of fascinating images criss-crossing many eras of Australian cricket. Images such as Arthur Coningham lighting a fire in the outfield on a cold day in England in 1893; 'Bull' Alexander hitting Jardine a few times (without a bodyline field), much to the delight of the crowd; and Ranji Hordern, Australia's first googly bowler (1910-12), whose performances suggest that Clarrie Grimmett, Bill O'Reilly, Richie Benaud and Shane Warne may have struggled for their place in the side of his day. Every Australian who ever picked abat or ball has dreamed of representing his country. All the players described in Australian Test Cricketers made that dream come true. A privileged few became legends of the game, whole others have disappeared almost without trace. Of course, all the legends are here, but so are the others, and if they didn't all produce glorious deeds in front of packed houses, they had their moment of opportunity, and as such deserve to be remembered, each and every one of them.

Rick Smith was born in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1955. He graduated from the University of Tasmania and began a teaching career in 1978. He is a former A-grade cricketer with a deep interest in the history of the game. A collector of cricket memorabilia, Rick also has an interest in photography and can frequently been seen at games attempting to capture the action on film. He is the author of a number of limited edition books on various aspects of cricket history.