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A Beautiful Game: My Love Affair with Cricket
Mark Nicholas, anchor for Channel 9's Test commentary team in Australia and Channel 5's Cricket on Five show in the UK, has a unique knowledge and perspective on the world game of cricket. As both a former player and now a professional observer and commentator on the game he knows all the key figures of the sport and has witnessed first-hand some of cricket's greatest moments. His book is a personal account of the game as he's seen and experienced it across the globe. From epic test matches to titans of the game like Lara, Warne and Tendulkar, to his own childhood love for the sport, Mark gives us his informed, personal and fascinating views on cricket - the world's other beautiful game.
421 pages, Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 8, 2021
This was a very interesting cricket book. Mark Nicholas never played international cricket,but he was a county cricketer,and then a TV commentator. He thus came in contact with a lot of international cricketers,from different eras,and has lots of stories to tell.
The title notwithstanding,cricket can be a very cruel game. It can literally kill. One chapter is devoted to the death of Philip Hughes,the Australian batsman,who was killed by a cricket ball. The author suffered his own share of horrific injuries,at the hands of fast bowlers,and describes those in graphic detail.
Life after cricket can be tough for professional cricketers. One example of this is the attempted suicide by Robin Smith,former England batsman as he fell on hard times. The authors also remembers his cricket friends,who have died in recent years. These include Martin Crowe,Richie Benaud,Tony Greig,Kerry Packer and Malcom Marshall.
One of the most interesting anecdotes is about Don Bradman,cricket's ultimate run machine.He could still bat as an old man,thirty years after retiring from the game.The author recalls being peppered with bouncers by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis,in one match,after he refused to leave the field.Also,about Imran Khan trying to knock his head off as he came out to bat without a helmet.
He talks about the best batsmen,the best fast bowlers and the best spinners.The account of his media work,while working alongside the likes of Richie Benaud is very interesting too. Also,his recollections about Kerry Packer,the man who had such an impact on cricket,are worth reading. He talks about meeting many of cricket's best,and what they had to say,kept me very interested.
The book exceeded my expectations,it is a very well-written exploration of various aspects of cricket's universe.
The title notwithstanding,cricket can be a very cruel game. It can literally kill. One chapter is devoted to the death of Philip Hughes,the Australian batsman,who was killed by a cricket ball. The author suffered his own share of horrific injuries,at the hands of fast bowlers,and describes those in graphic detail.
Life after cricket can be tough for professional cricketers. One example of this is the attempted suicide by Robin Smith,former England batsman as he fell on hard times. The authors also remembers his cricket friends,who have died in recent years. These include Martin Crowe,Richie Benaud,Tony Greig,Kerry Packer and Malcom Marshall.
One of the most interesting anecdotes is about Don Bradman,cricket's ultimate run machine.He could still bat as an old man,thirty years after retiring from the game.The author recalls being peppered with bouncers by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis,in one match,after he refused to leave the field.Also,about Imran Khan trying to knock his head off as he came out to bat without a helmet.
He talks about the best batsmen,the best fast bowlers and the best spinners.The account of his media work,while working alongside the likes of Richie Benaud is very interesting too. Also,his recollections about Kerry Packer,the man who had such an impact on cricket,are worth reading. He talks about meeting many of cricket's best,and what they had to say,kept me very interested.
The book exceeded my expectations,it is a very well-written exploration of various aspects of cricket's universe.
August 22, 2022
"I could mimic Ian Chappell's stance, and his back-and-across move to play the hook. I could chew his gum, reposition his box and tug on the brow of his baggy green cap. The buttons of my shirt undone to the breastbone, the sleeves were turned up at the cuff, the collar pointed at the sky. I could run in like Lillee, leaning well forward, pumping my arms and reaching the crease with a raucous surge of momentum. I could scream his appeals on my haunches, a finger raised to the heavens and a look of disgust at the umpire's decision. And I could wipe the sweat from my brow with a single swipe of my right index finger. Only Chappell and Lillee could stop Dexter, Boycott, Higgs and Snow in the backyard of 106 Priory Lane, London, SW18."
Mark Charles Jefford Nicholas had never played international cricket but he was a trophy winning county cricketer and captain, and an entertaining commentator. I thought that the best part of the book would be his reflections during his commentary phase because I remember the iconic moments when Inzi fell over the stumps after failing to sweep Panesar, "staggering gamble" of Ashes 2005, and the "party begins" moment when Kohli pouched Misbah in ICC CWC SF 2011. However, the complete book is a mix of nostalgia, pain, joy, ambitions and a lot of emotions.
Good aspects: The tone. Generally, I am read many autobiographies which are full of crying babies who crib, crib and crib. This book is about celebrating cricket, especially yard and club cricket. Moreover, what I loved the most was his writing as a cricket fan. Nicholas comes out as a humble person who loves to not only play but watch cricket. At no point of time, it felt that Nicholas is bitter about anything.
Nostalgic flavour. When Nicholas started his story with his childhood memories, it was so relatable that I started remembering my journey as a gully cricketer. Additionally, the stories related to his stint in South Africa were endearing. Along with them, the stories from the county circuit and the Hampshire cricket team was fondly narrated. Then, he covered Ashes 2005, perhaps the best Ashes series ever, in great detail and fun.
An ode to Maco & others. I have loved the way Nicholas has shared his feelings and memories with one of his best buddies Malcolm Marshall.
I have loved the funnier and epic anecdotes of Malcolm Marshall when he was playing with Nicholas at Hampshire. Then, there were a lot of stories about Richie Benaud and a couple of nice ex-Hampshire folks.
Humor. Humor goes hand in hand with the tone of the book. Yes, the humor surprises me when the book is grim but it surprises even more when the book is warm to the core. There are a couple of hilarious comments which we had included in his book. When Justin Langer was getting hit on the helmet many times -
When Lara made a memorable 277 vs the Aussies at Sydney -
The only thing which prevented the book from being a 5-starred is the slow pace of the broadcaster journey of Nicholas. I believe that it could have been wrapped 50 pages earlier. Otherwise, this book is a treat for cricket lovers.
Mark Charles Jefford Nicholas had never played international cricket but he was a trophy winning county cricketer and captain, and an entertaining commentator. I thought that the best part of the book would be his reflections during his commentary phase because I remember the iconic moments when Inzi fell over the stumps after failing to sweep Panesar, "staggering gamble" of Ashes 2005, and the "party begins" moment when Kohli pouched Misbah in ICC CWC SF 2011. However, the complete book is a mix of nostalgia, pain, joy, ambitions and a lot of emotions.
Good aspects: The tone. Generally, I am read many autobiographies which are full of crying babies who crib, crib and crib. This book is about celebrating cricket, especially yard and club cricket. Moreover, what I loved the most was his writing as a cricket fan. Nicholas comes out as a humble person who loves to not only play but watch cricket. At no point of time, it felt that Nicholas is bitter about anything.
"Where Lillee had menace, Procter had venom; where Lillee had side-on outswing, Procter had chest-on inswing."
Nostalgic flavour. When Nicholas started his story with his childhood memories, it was so relatable that I started remembering my journey as a gully cricketer. Additionally, the stories related to his stint in South Africa were endearing. Along with them, the stories from the county circuit and the Hampshire cricket team was fondly narrated. Then, he covered Ashes 2005, perhaps the best Ashes series ever, in great detail and fun.
An ode to Maco & others. I have loved the way Nicholas has shared his feelings and memories with one of his best buddies Malcolm Marshall.
I have loved the funnier and epic anecdotes of Malcolm Marshall when he was playing with Nicholas at Hampshire. Then, there were a lot of stories about Richie Benaud and a couple of nice ex-Hampshire folks.
Humor. Humor goes hand in hand with the tone of the book. Yes, the humor surprises me when the book is grim but it surprises even more when the book is warm to the core. There are a couple of hilarious comments which we had included in his book. When Justin Langer was getting hit on the helmet many times -
As Kerry Packer famously said to Justin Langer, 'Son, if we hadn't invented helmets, you'd be dead.'
When Lara made a memorable 277 vs the Aussies at Sydney -
Lara named his daughter Sydney after that day, and likes to tell people that it is lucky he didn't play the innings in Lahore.
The only thing which prevented the book from being a 5-starred is the slow pace of the broadcaster journey of Nicholas. I believe that it could have been wrapped 50 pages earlier. Otherwise, this book is a treat for cricket lovers.
June 11, 2019
The book is divided into 3 parts and I started with the 2nd part called "Thinking about the Game". This part contained a chapter each on batting, fast bowling and spin bowling. This was an absolute delight and contained many great anecdotes that I havent read elsewhere and some good insights. Would rate this part 4.5/5
The 3rd part was "Talking and Writing about the game". It made for a decent read with a focus on the author's career as a commentator after his retirement from first-class cricket. The parts on Benaud, Packer and the anecdotes made for good reading. 3/5
The 1st part was the most boring - both because the author is not a test cricketer, he is not even a great first-class cricketer. And the trajectory of his career in the setting of the domestic cricket of England and Australia was boring. Maybe this part will be more interesting for English cricket fans. 2/5
Overall, if you can get hold of this in your library, read the 2nd part and skip the rest.
The 3rd part was "Talking and Writing about the game". It made for a decent read with a focus on the author's career as a commentator after his retirement from first-class cricket. The parts on Benaud, Packer and the anecdotes made for good reading. 3/5
The 1st part was the most boring - both because the author is not a test cricketer, he is not even a great first-class cricketer. And the trajectory of his career in the setting of the domestic cricket of England and Australia was boring. Maybe this part will be more interesting for English cricket fans. 2/5
Overall, if you can get hold of this in your library, read the 2nd part and skip the rest.
December 29, 2020
This is a really enjoyable, interesting and insightful read in which Mark Nicholas relates his story from wannabe County cricketer, scratching around for runs in the Hampshire 2nd XI to one of the leading television journos and commentators on the game.
His treatment of controversy - of the Packer years, cheating and the very sad death of Philip Hughes - is insightful, sensitive and well-executed. His assessment of some of the greats of the game, past and present, is excellent and spot on.
I grew up around the same time as Nicholas, watching Sobers, Boycott, John Snow et al, and vividly remember being glued to my transistor radio listening to the early morning TMS broadcasts from Australia on dark, Winter’s mornings. He evokes lots of very fond memories.
Mark Nicholas may have lacked the consistency that may have enabled him to break into the England Test squad but he has surpassed all expectations in the way that he has professionalised cricket broadcasting.
A great read for any lover of THE beautiful game.
His treatment of controversy - of the Packer years, cheating and the very sad death of Philip Hughes - is insightful, sensitive and well-executed. His assessment of some of the greats of the game, past and present, is excellent and spot on.
I grew up around the same time as Nicholas, watching Sobers, Boycott, John Snow et al, and vividly remember being glued to my transistor radio listening to the early morning TMS broadcasts from Australia on dark, Winter’s mornings. He evokes lots of very fond memories.
Mark Nicholas may have lacked the consistency that may have enabled him to break into the England Test squad but he has surpassed all expectations in the way that he has professionalised cricket broadcasting.
A great read for any lover of THE beautiful game.
June 26, 2017
Easily the best book about cricket I've read so far. I was recently asked what my favourite book about cricket was, and I couldn't single one out...now I can.
Fascinating, funny, personal and moving, A Beautiful Game is an appropriate title because those of us who love the game know it to be true. Nicholas as a professional player, journalist and commentator is positioned like no other to reveal the glories of the greatest game on earth. Even the stuff about people I had never heard of was still worth reading because of the author's passion and writing skill.
I can tell from watching him present the cricket on Channel Nine in Australia that he loves the game. Reading A Beautiful Game added another dimension of understanding and appreciation for what he does.
An absolute must read for cricket fans
Fascinating, funny, personal and moving, A Beautiful Game is an appropriate title because those of us who love the game know it to be true. Nicholas as a professional player, journalist and commentator is positioned like no other to reveal the glories of the greatest game on earth. Even the stuff about people I had never heard of was still worth reading because of the author's passion and writing skill.
I can tell from watching him present the cricket on Channel Nine in Australia that he loves the game. Reading A Beautiful Game added another dimension of understanding and appreciation for what he does.
An absolute must read for cricket fans
November 26, 2017
Simply put Mark Nicholas loves Cricket.
And each and every page of this book proves that.
I especially enjoyed the chapter on fast bowling, not to say that the rest chapters weren’t amazing.
I felt as if I was there on the ground and living through every moment of it.
Its great to know more about Richie Benaud, Martin Crowe, Malcolm Marshall, Kerry Packer and many more legends.
Mark Nicholas is a great man and has a heart of Gold of which he has kept majority for Cricket.
This book is a must read for every Cricket lover.
And each and every page of this book proves that.
I especially enjoyed the chapter on fast bowling, not to say that the rest chapters weren’t amazing.
I felt as if I was there on the ground and living through every moment of it.
Its great to know more about Richie Benaud, Martin Crowe, Malcolm Marshall, Kerry Packer and many more legends.
Mark Nicholas is a great man and has a heart of Gold of which he has kept majority for Cricket.
This book is a must read for every Cricket lover.
September 22, 2017
A quite wonderful read. Beautifully written with scintillating tales from both a personal and historical perspective. Anyone with even a passing interest in cricket should read this book and I can guarantee that they will want to dig deeper into the game after.
May 23, 2019
Excellent
This brilliant book, reminds of the skills a decent county cricketer (perhaps unlucky not to be capped) who cares for the game and the players, describing lots of joys along the way!
Excellent book, damn good read and great memories.
This brilliant book, reminds of the skills a decent county cricketer (perhaps unlucky not to be capped) who cares for the game and the players, describing lots of joys along the way!
Excellent book, damn good read and great memories.
April 29, 2020
Just not very good. Too many words of not much substance and distinct lack of metanarrative. As average as his commentary.
September 16, 2020
If you like cricket, you will like reading this book. Part autobiographical, part analytical. I liked the analytical part more.
January 29, 2022
Such a well-crafted book from personal experience and observation accompanied by intimate reflections with some of the best players ever.
February 21, 2022
Mark Nicholas is the leader of the cricket badgers and as a fellow badger myself this is right up my street. Loved all the stories about Richie Benaud and Malcolm Marshall in particular
July 15, 2023
This just wasn’t for me.
September 24, 2023
Enjoyable story of the author’s cricket career and, particularly, those he has met along the way.
February 9, 2025
Good, well written book from a respected ex-Cricketer turned broadcaster, nothing more
May 21, 2020
An egg for all curates!
Unlike the fabled curate’s egg this book isn’t just good in parts... it’s just that the various parts seem to belong to a variety of different eggs!
It’s a funny book that never quite seems to know what it’s doing. In the middle of a chapter on fast bowling we’re (again) discussing batting; a eulogy on spin bowling segues into one on wicket keeping. There’s method in both digressions, of course. But Nicholas seems to set out to do one thing before getting bored with it and starting something else. He begins with a few chapters of good (and straight) autobiography. Then he seems to want to write a coaching manual. Then It becomes a book about the greats he’s known, in each of the games divisions.
Having said that, it’s never not entertaining and manages to somehow hold the disparate threads together rather in the manner of one of Mark’s pieces to camera during a TV broadcast. And, as with his telly persona, what comes over consistently is his enthusiasm for a game he clearly loves. And that’s good enough in all parts.
Unlike the fabled curate’s egg this book isn’t just good in parts... it’s just that the various parts seem to belong to a variety of different eggs!
It’s a funny book that never quite seems to know what it’s doing. In the middle of a chapter on fast bowling we’re (again) discussing batting; a eulogy on spin bowling segues into one on wicket keeping. There’s method in both digressions, of course. But Nicholas seems to set out to do one thing before getting bored with it and starting something else. He begins with a few chapters of good (and straight) autobiography. Then he seems to want to write a coaching manual. Then It becomes a book about the greats he’s known, in each of the games divisions.
Having said that, it’s never not entertaining and manages to somehow hold the disparate threads together rather in the manner of one of Mark’s pieces to camera during a TV broadcast. And, as with his telly persona, what comes over consistently is his enthusiasm for a game he clearly loves. And that’s good enough in all parts.
January 28, 2017
The best cricket book I've read for a long time; the irrepressible energy and love for the game shines through.
December 30, 2017
Hard to assess. I’m a fan of Nicholas the journalist/commentator; I love his passion for cricket and desire to make coverage more accessible and less stuffy. That passion shines through in this beautifully written book; his 2 chapters on what it’s like to face world class fast and spin bowling are especially riveting. Overall there’s little not to like for the big cricket fan. There is an inherent irony though; at one point Nicholas adapts the old maxim ‘What does he know who only cricket knows?’, and states the importance of understanding the wider context the game sits in. However Nicholas himself doesn’t do this - not on (for example) rebel tours to apartheid South Africa, the Kerry Packer TV money or the rise of T20. On all these and other issues the book touches on, much could be gleaned by taking into account the wider issues as well as the benefit of removing an often inward looking institutional game from its bubble. That aside, it’s still a fine read of one passionate man’s perspective on the game.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews