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The Ashes Diary
In his role as Australian captain, Michael Clarke has introduced a very different dynamic into the traditions of captaincy. Open, inclusive and articulate, Clarke is a refreshing change from the often gruff and monosyllabic leaders of the past. 2013 has produced his greatest challenge to date - leading an Australian team of uncertain quality against the might of a resurgent England. But underperforming players have not been his only problem, as the sacking of Australian coach Mickey Arthur just days before the First Test at Trent Bridge created shockwaves in the team.
Clarke's Ashes Diaries give us a real behind-the-scenes view of the Australian team and the incredible ups and downs of a riveting and controversial Ashes series. Recorded day-by-day, and covering every highlight and lowlight with intelligence and honesty, this is a genuine insight into one of the most rewarding, most difficult and most high-profile jobs in Australia - captain of our cricket team.
Clarke's Ashes Diaries give us a real behind-the-scenes view of the Australian team and the incredible ups and downs of a riveting and controversial Ashes series. Recorded day-by-day, and covering every highlight and lowlight with intelligence and honesty, this is a genuine insight into one of the most rewarding, most difficult and most high-profile jobs in Australia - captain of our cricket team.
289 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Michael Clarke
4 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Michael Clarke
Michael John Clarke AO (born 2 April 1981) is an Australian former cricketer. He was captain of the Australian cricket team in both Test and One Day International (ODI) between 2011 and 2015, leading Australia to victory in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. He also served as captain of the Twenty20 International (T20I) side between 2007 and 2010. With his time representing Australia, Clarke won multiple ICC titles with the team: the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the 2015 Cricket World Cup which he was the winning captain, and the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy.
Nicknamed "Pup",[2] Clarke was a right-handed middle-order batsman, an occasional left-arm orthodox spin bowler and also a slip catcher. He represented New South Wales at a domestic level.
Clarke retired from all forms of cricket after the final Test of the 2015 Ashes series.
source: Wikipedia
Please see: Michael Clarke
Michael John Clarke AO (born 2 April 1981) is an Australian former cricketer. He was captain of the Australian cricket team in both Test and One Day International (ODI) between 2011 and 2015, leading Australia to victory in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. He also served as captain of the Twenty20 International (T20I) side between 2007 and 2010. With his time representing Australia, Clarke won multiple ICC titles with the team: the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the 2015 Cricket World Cup which he was the winning captain, and the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy.
Nicknamed "Pup",[2] Clarke was a right-handed middle-order batsman, an occasional left-arm orthodox spin bowler and also a slip catcher. He represented New South Wales at a domestic level.
Clarke retired from all forms of cricket after the final Test of the 2015 Ashes series.
source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 22, 2015
Surprisingly good. Michael Clarke is probably not the greatest writer of all time, but he does exactly what you would want from a tour diary. It's a great wrap up from the 2013 Ashes that England won 3-0, a perfect way to get ready for the next series!
January 2, 2024
"The Ashes Diary" by Michael Clarke provides cricket enthusiasts with a behind-the-scenes look at the 2013-2014 Ashes series. Clarke, the Australian cricket captain at the time, offers readers a firsthand account of the highs and lows of the series, with glimpses into the team dynamics and personal reflections. While the book delivers on its promise to offer an insider's perspective, it may not fully transcend the genre's conventions, resulting in a somewhat standard cricket diary.
The strength of the book lies in Clarke's intimate knowledge of the game and his position as the team captain. His insights into strategy, team dynamics, and the mental challenges faced by players during a high-stakes series are valuable for cricket aficionados seeking a deeper understanding of the sport.
However, the narrative structure closely adheres to the chronological format typical of sports diaries, potentially limiting its appeal to readers less familiar with cricket or those seeking a more innovative storytelling approach. The book may lack the narrative flair or thematic exploration that could elevate it beyond a straightforward documentation of events.
Clarke's writing style is accessible and conversational, making the book an easy read for fans interested in reliving the Ashes series. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and interactions with teammates adds a human touch to the narrative, providing readers with a sense of the camaraderie within the team.
On the downside, the book might feel somewhat self-focused, as it primarily reflects Clarke's perspective without delving deeply into the experiences of other team members. A more comprehensive exploration of the collective journey and emotions of the team could have enriched the narrative.
The Ashes Diary, while offering a genuine look into the world of professional cricket, may not stand out as a groundbreaking addition to the sports literature genre. Cricket enthusiasts and fans of Michael Clarke will likely appreciate the firsthand accounts and insights, but readers seeking a more innovative or universally compelling sports narrative might find the book falling within the expected parameters of a cricket diary.
In summary, "The Ashes Diary" serves its purpose as a firsthand account of a significant cricket series, with Michael Clarke's personal reflections providing a genuine and engaging touch. However, its adherence to conventional sports diary structures may limit its broader appeal.
The strength of the book lies in Clarke's intimate knowledge of the game and his position as the team captain. His insights into strategy, team dynamics, and the mental challenges faced by players during a high-stakes series are valuable for cricket aficionados seeking a deeper understanding of the sport.
However, the narrative structure closely adheres to the chronological format typical of sports diaries, potentially limiting its appeal to readers less familiar with cricket or those seeking a more innovative storytelling approach. The book may lack the narrative flair or thematic exploration that could elevate it beyond a straightforward documentation of events.
Clarke's writing style is accessible and conversational, making the book an easy read for fans interested in reliving the Ashes series. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and interactions with teammates adds a human touch to the narrative, providing readers with a sense of the camaraderie within the team.
On the downside, the book might feel somewhat self-focused, as it primarily reflects Clarke's perspective without delving deeply into the experiences of other team members. A more comprehensive exploration of the collective journey and emotions of the team could have enriched the narrative.
The Ashes Diary, while offering a genuine look into the world of professional cricket, may not stand out as a groundbreaking addition to the sports literature genre. Cricket enthusiasts and fans of Michael Clarke will likely appreciate the firsthand accounts and insights, but readers seeking a more innovative or universally compelling sports narrative might find the book falling within the expected parameters of a cricket diary.
In summary, "The Ashes Diary" serves its purpose as a firsthand account of a significant cricket series, with Michael Clarke's personal reflections providing a genuine and engaging touch. However, its adherence to conventional sports diary structures may limit its broader appeal.
December 18, 2018
Seeing things from the inside, especially from a captain's perspective definitely shines a lot of light onto the mental health of sporting professionals. I loved the humour and honesty written by Michael Clarke. It was a great read and brought back my passion for cricket!
February 9, 2017
It did get boring...
September 18, 2017
I very much enjoyed reading this book, it was interesting to get an insight into what happened during the Ashes from an Australian's perspective. The language that was used in the book was very simple but easy to understand.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews