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Keeping Up: Michael Bates: The Story of a Specialist Wicketkeeper
'Throughout the England age groups, Batesy was the benchmark in terms of "that's what the best wicketkeeper is doing."' - Jos Buttler. Michael Bates was just 21 when he became Hampshire's first-choice wicketkeeper. His immaculate glove work quickly earned him a reputation for being one of the best keepers in the country. In 2012, 'Batesy' helped his boyhood club win both limited-overs trophies, his match-winning contribution in the CB40 final at Lord's is still talked about today. But despite Bates' clear ability behind the stumps, Hampshire replaced him the following season - an anonymous letter, received at Bates' home address, eerily predicting the news weeks earlier. In Keeping Up, Bates and co-author Tom Huelin recall how Bates progressed through the Hampshire and England age groups, reliving his short but successful playing career. Bates then delivers a wicketkeeping masterclass - a must-read for any aspiring wicketkeeper - revealing the technical and tactical skills he relied on to get to the top. Huelin and Bates, with contributions from Adam Gilchrist, Jos Buttler and other cricketers who knew Bates best, then discuss the changing role of wicketkeepers in the modern game, exploring how specialists are now struggling to 'keep up' with their multi-dimensional equivalents.
243 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2019
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August 15, 2019
This autobiography tells a story seldom told; that of a brilliant young sportsman who fell by the wayside. Not because of accident or injury, but because he it came to the point he simply couldn’t get a job. As an honest portrayal of what went wrong it should be required reading for any youngster aiming for a career in professional sport – and their parents.
This book is important because it’s the story of a career that didn’t work out. And not because of lack of talent, lack of professionalism, or lack of hard work. These are the stories we don’t hear. Especially in an everything’s perfect candy floss world dominated by social media. We need to know it’s OK if you try your best and it isn’t enough. It’s a lesson for us all.
This book is important because it’s the story of a career that didn’t work out. And not because of lack of talent, lack of professionalism, or lack of hard work. These are the stories we don’t hear. Especially in an everything’s perfect candy floss world dominated by social media. We need to know it’s OK if you try your best and it isn’t enough. It’s a lesson for us all.
Displaying 1 of 1 review