Tuffers' Cricket Tales

by Phil Tufnell

Phil Tufnell, aka 'Tuffers', is the much-loved English cricketer from the 1990s who has now become one of this country's favourite broadcasters. Not cast from the same mould as�other players of his generation, Tufnell became a cult figure for his unorthodox approach to the game ...�and to life in general. 'Tuffers' Cricket Tales' is a deliciously�eccentric collection of the great man's favourite cricket stories that will amuse and inform in equal measure. Tufnell's unmistakably distinctive voice, as heard to such good effect on 'Test Match Special',�steers fans through dozens and dozens of terrifically entertaining and insightful�anecdotes, garnered from his 25-year playing and broadcasting career. He�introduces�a cast of genuinely colourful characters found in dressing-rooms and commentary boxes from around the world, and in the process offers a uniquely warm and quirky homage to his sport. A perfect Father's Day gift for all cricket fans.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

Audio

First published May 5, 1994

Reviews

[Mark Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achingly funny. Must read.

[Thirumalai Gopalakrishna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half of the book when he narrates the field incidents. The second half which I did not enjoy contains his exploits in the entertainment industry.

[Denis Southall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing set of cricket and minor celebrity tales from a cricket bad boy legend.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, first confession - I don't know as much about cricket as I thought I did - and reading this book made me realise that. I originally watched some matches on TV with my father back in the 1980s (which coincidentally was when Somerset had their heyday with Botham, Richards and Garner all on the team) so that's where my initial interest arose. However, I realise now that I never understood all the different fielding positions and the nuances of how the different styles of bowling would be applied to the different styles of batting to try to gain a wicket etc.
The cricketing reminiscences in this book were therefore harder to follow because of the terminology used - my fault, not so much the book or author's fault. However, the off-pitch antics and tales were amusing enough. The middle section dealing with Phil's career after cricket was of more interest to me - his time in the celebrity jungle and then through to strictly were easier to read (less jargon!).
Coming to the final section, this moved on to his career commentating on BBC Test Match Special on the Radio and so was back to the jargon again - but still entertaining enough.
So, as a person with a mild interest in cricket but baffled by the technical terminology, I have to give this a 3-star rating (based on my own personal liking of the book). To anyone reading this who does fully understand the jargon and has watched the game more recently than me, it would probably get a higher rating.

[Hugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing and sometimes informative collection of anecdotes from this likeable but roguish cricketer and broadcaster, with an unorthodox approach to his cricket career and life in general. A pleasant enough way to pass a few hours for someone with a passing interest in cricket and the man himself, but not really one for cricket fans.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suppose Phil Tufnell is quite a likeable bloke, but I'm afraid his book just never seemed to get off the ground and I couldn't be arsed to finish it. It is full of anecdotes about his cricket life, which last approximately 1 page and I found myself only just over a third of the way through after about three weeks reading.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tuffers comes across as boorish in this ghost written book. Still a cornerstone presenter on TMS where his charm and cricket knowledge work well

[Steve Markham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad at all. Got me in the mood for some cricket. Pretty funny too so can't complain.