Tony Greig: A Reappraisal of English Cricket's Most Controversial Captain

by David Tossell

Tony Greig is one of most colourful figures in English cricket history. As a player he stirred up drama and excitement whenever he stepped on the field and as national team captain he was accused of ‘betrayal’ after taking a leading role in the formation of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket. David Tossell’s biography uses extensive research and multiple interviews – including with Greig himself – to examine whether cricket history has been fair to one of England’s most successful all-rounders and if his achievements on the field are condemned to be forever overshadowed by off-field controversy.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2011

About the author

David Tossell has been a sports journalist for four decades. Long-time head of European Public Affairs for the NFL (National Football League) and former Executive Sports Editor of the Today newspaper, he is the author of 17 sports books. He has been short-listed seven times in the British Sports Book Awards - for Bertie Mee (Best Biography, 2006); Grovel! (Best Cricket Book, 2008); Nobody Beats Us (Best Rugby Book, 2010); Tony Greig (Best Cricket Book, 2012); The Great English Final (Best Football Book, 2014), Natural: The Jimmy Greaves Story (Best Biography and Best Football Book, 2020). He has also been short-listed twice for MCC/Cricket Society Book of the Year.
He has written books on football, cricket, rugby and American football.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

as i was reading this i remembered how big a part greig played in my beginning an obsession with cricket. the summer of '76 is famed for the blazing heat and the brilliant blasterers, the west indies. greig's showmanship is highlighted in the book as well as his confidence, entitlement even, to be a top test player, something that was lacking for vast swathes of england players selected throughout the 70s to the mid-80s. his record as an all-rounder, the writer details, stands up to most others. the kerry packer saga is analysed deftly and the author gives plenty of examples of greig's genuiness, articulacy, popularity and capacity to be a bit of a doughnut - it left me wanting to see a film of greig's career that could contrast/mirror the 'fire in babylon' dvd. cricket lovers should check this book out.