John Arlott's Cricketing Wides, Byes And Slips! cover art

John Arlott's Cricketing Wides, Byes And Slips!

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About this listen

 The imagery and wit of an incomparable broadcaster is captured here in a unique collection of historic, and humorous, moments from the twentieth century. From the 1940s we hear about Bradman’s last test, from the 50s Compton’s highest Test Score, from the 60s Trueman’s 300th Test wicket and Boycott’s first ton, and then the 70s with Arlott’s ‘freaker’ (the Lord’s streaker) and finally John’s last commentary at the Lord’s centenary Test in 1980. His commentary was poetic in its elegance, and the pictures he painted with words are vintage: ‘the stroke of a man knocking a thistle top off with a walking stick’ (on Clive Lloyd in 1975) and ‘a colony of silver gulls... perched on the top of the stand as if they were vultures recruited for Lillee’ during the Centenary Test in Melbourne. Presented by Peter Baxter, here is a selection of classic clips from the very personification of cricket, brought together for the first time. ‘There’s never been a commentator like him, there never will be’ - Ian Botham.©2009 BBC Audiobooks Ltd; (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks Ltd Cricket Entertainment & Performing Arts
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What did you like best about John Arlott's Cricketing Wides, Byes and Slips!? What did you like least?

I thought it was well put together but I'm not a fan of john and didn't find much in it funny.

Would you be willing to try another book from BBC Audiobooks Ltd? Why or why not?

yes. I listen to a lot of BBC Sport and love a lot of the commentators past and present.

What about John Arlott’s performance did you like?

Very little.

Could you see John Arlott's Cricketing Wides, Byes and Slips! being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

No. I don't think picturing John in a commentary box would be the most interesting imagery.

Any additional comments?

I wanted to like this book but unfortunately I didn't.

Not a fan of this book.

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What made the experience of listening to John Arlott's Cricketing Wides, Byes and Slips! the most enjoyable?

Anyone who hear him speak on the radio will to this day miss his voice. This went some way to reminding one but not nearly enough....there should be another archive of his words

What other book might you compare John Arlott's Cricketing Wides, Byes and Slips! to, and why?

Incomparable

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The Clive Lloyd quote of course.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I have listed to it three times al the way through....

Any additional comments?

Don't worry that it's so short....it's worth it.

Not nearly enough

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A first class book & recording from on of The All Time Great Broadcasters in sport

Richard J Sharpe

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