Not Dark Yet

by Mike Harfield

Of all the books about cricket, Mike Harfield's "Not Dark Yet" brings a rare authenticity to the subject. This is a book by a genuine cricketer and a genuine cricket fan with a talent for capturing the spirit of this special game in his witty prose. David Lloyd, aka Bumble, laughed so much he agreed to write the Foreword. He even showed the book to Christopher Martin-Jenkins who found it 'very entertaining and enjoyable'. Reading the book raises the spirits with its cheerful jollity. The mixture of banter and eclectic cricketing information carries the reader along, making for both easy and captivating reading. Loosely based around Mike Harfield's captaincy of a cricket XI over 30 years, Not Dark Yet is both the humorous story of his team's efforts and his often irreverent take on first-class and international cricket. For 30 years the Mike Harfield XI has withstood atrocious umpiring, dreadful hangovers, bad haircuts and a woeful lack of talent, only to encounter an even greater adversity - middle age. Spiced with humour and plenty of banter about fellow team-mates and international players alike, their captain's tales convey an authentic picture of one team's endeavours, to which cricketers and non cricketers will easily relate.

Genres: Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2008

Reviews

[Loudon McAndrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful capture of village cricket with its accompanying pub life, teas and the wide discrepancy in the players. I have been a cricket fan all my life and this short book had a laugh a page. It would be better understood and made more enjoyable by those readers with a good knowledge of the game.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amusing book based on an annual cricket match. The trials and tribulations run alongside the success and failings of the English Cricket Team. Easy and relaxing to read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun. Fans of village/club cricket will enjoy this short, easy-to-read memoir of 30+ years of Mark Harfield XI's annual Sunday match. It's not in the same class as Berkmann and Thompson, and is not as funny as it has been made out, but it's nevertheless an entertaining and worthwhile read.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly amusing account of one man's crusade to organise an annual village cricket match. Harfield muses on cricket, football, politics and other unrelated subjects, but this is probably strictly one for cricket buffs of a certain age.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy to read book about a cricket team that plays once a year, goes off at tangents a bit but ok