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Opening Up
Opening Up
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1982
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Geoffrey Boycott
21 books7 followersGeoffrey Boycott OBE is a former Yorkshire and England cricketer. In a prolific and sometimes controversial playing career from 1962 to 1986, Boycott established himself as one of England's most successful opening batsmen. Since retiring as a player, Boycott has found further success as a cricket commentator.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 7, 2013
I admit to being one of Geoff Boycott's biggest admirers but this book did not really do it for me.
March 1, 2024
“… it was quite soul destroying for them”
These are his last words of the book. Fitting. Clearly GB is a man who likes to moan. It is quite funny at times in his punditry, though in written form it is abrasive.
Nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Great to get a contemporary insight into the game circa 1978-80.
How to build an innings. Read the first chapter
Next chapter he talks through great players of the past he admires and wishes he played with/against. Mainly, however, it is a list of people who he is better than/couldn’t do it in his time. Including no less than the Don. Bradman. Boycott was certainly not short of confidence but at many times he slips, sometimes dives headfirst, into arrogance. This is not surprising. Also in this chapter the great take of: “Bernard could well be the last of the really great leg spinners”. Shit take
Next chapter is a rundown of present players he admires and thinks are somewhat good. Mainly, however, it is a list of people who he is better than. He is not shy in offering coaching tips to established international players who were arguably far better than he ever was.
Next chapter is about rising English talent. I knew very few of the names in this section. But I do know they will never be as good as boycott. They’ve got it too easy these days. They’ll only make it if they listen to his advice. Bowl side on. Build an innings. No innovation. Technique. Temperament. Tradition. Do as Geoff says practice 23 hours a day and they might make it into England team but they won’t be as good as him.
Next it actually gets interesting. He talks of Kerry Packer and his impact on cricket. A damning indictment as you’d expect. Well worth reading. Most funny is Boycotts strong stance against fancy kits.
He finishes with a game by game break down of the one day series and subsequent test series. Which was, if I had to sum up in one word, good.
He’s a man with opinions and he says them with intent to undermine anyone who differs slightly from his way of thinking. Written in the time it was it has been a valuable insight for a more modern cricket fan a young man like me is.
The majority of this was read during some domestic rubbish at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
If this book would be a cricketer it would probably be Nico Reefer
These are his last words of the book. Fitting. Clearly GB is a man who likes to moan. It is quite funny at times in his punditry, though in written form it is abrasive.
Nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Great to get a contemporary insight into the game circa 1978-80.
How to build an innings. Read the first chapter
Next chapter he talks through great players of the past he admires and wishes he played with/against. Mainly, however, it is a list of people who he is better than/couldn’t do it in his time. Including no less than the Don. Bradman. Boycott was certainly not short of confidence but at many times he slips, sometimes dives headfirst, into arrogance. This is not surprising. Also in this chapter the great take of: “Bernard could well be the last of the really great leg spinners”. Shit take
Next chapter is a rundown of present players he admires and thinks are somewhat good. Mainly, however, it is a list of people who he is better than. He is not shy in offering coaching tips to established international players who were arguably far better than he ever was.
Next chapter is about rising English talent. I knew very few of the names in this section. But I do know they will never be as good as boycott. They’ve got it too easy these days. They’ll only make it if they listen to his advice. Bowl side on. Build an innings. No innovation. Technique. Temperament. Tradition. Do as Geoff says practice 23 hours a day and they might make it into England team but they won’t be as good as him.
Next it actually gets interesting. He talks of Kerry Packer and his impact on cricket. A damning indictment as you’d expect. Well worth reading. Most funny is Boycotts strong stance against fancy kits.
He finishes with a game by game break down of the one day series and subsequent test series. Which was, if I had to sum up in one word, good.
He’s a man with opinions and he says them with intent to undermine anyone who differs slightly from his way of thinking. Written in the time it was it has been a valuable insight for a more modern cricket fan a young man like me is.
The majority of this was read during some domestic rubbish at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
If this book would be a cricketer it would probably be Nico Reefer
May 29, 2024
Typically forthright but unexpectedly insightful from the man who is not as Yorkshire as some would think. Although he masks it well in this book, beneath that regional upbringing, which is all some might see, there is a passionate and sensitive man. His decriptions of the 1979-80 reunion series in Australia are interesting but its his descriptions of English players that was fascinating. Made so early in the careers of the likes of Botham and Gower, his character assessments are spot on. He also reveals a greater admiration for Mike Brearley than I had previously imagined. Only a short read but worth it. I have more repect for the man than before "opening up" the first page. His first chapter on professionalism in the game is as applicable today as then.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews