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Stumped: One Cricket Umpire, Two Countries. A Memoir.
Sixteen Seasons in the Sun - MostlyGet ready to be swept away by a heart-warming tale that takes you from the tranquil environs of an English village cricket match, to the hallowed turf of the MCG.
Meet Richard Harrison, a cricket-mad Australian who (while living in Kent) embarks on a career as an umpire and a subsequent journey of self-discovery.
For six years, Richard occupies the best seat in the house at some of the most beautiful cricket grounds in England.
But it’s when he returns to Australia, that he is captivated by the skill and talent of some of the best female cricketers in the world.
Entertaining and funny throughout, Stumped presents a unique and amusing tribute to an ancient and fascinating pastime.
With every page, you'll be drawn deeper into the world of cricket and the joys and challenges that come with it.
But be warned, once you pick up this book, you won't want to put it down.
If you enjoyed the rousing sports drama of Bend It Like Beckham and have been inspired by the tremendous growth of the women's game in recent years, then this delightful and inspiring memoir is a must-read for you.
But don't wait too long.
Pick up your copy of Stumped now (before the price changes) and get off the mark with Richard today.
Meet Richard Harrison, a cricket-mad Australian who (while living in Kent) embarks on a career as an umpire and a subsequent journey of self-discovery.
For six years, Richard occupies the best seat in the house at some of the most beautiful cricket grounds in England.
But it’s when he returns to Australia, that he is captivated by the skill and talent of some of the best female cricketers in the world.
Entertaining and funny throughout, Stumped presents a unique and amusing tribute to an ancient and fascinating pastime.
With every page, you'll be drawn deeper into the world of cricket and the joys and challenges that come with it.
But be warned, once you pick up this book, you won't want to put it down.
If you enjoyed the rousing sports drama of Bend It Like Beckham and have been inspired by the tremendous growth of the women's game in recent years, then this delightful and inspiring memoir is a must-read for you.
But don't wait too long.
Pick up your copy of Stumped now (before the price changes) and get off the mark with Richard today.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 17, 2022
Nice book about life in umpiring.
November 3, 2024
"Stumped: One Cricket Umpire, Two Countries. A Memoir." by Richard Harrison is a delightful journey through the world of cricket umpiring. This book offers readers a unique perspective on the sport, focusing on the often-overlooked role of the umpire.
The memoir is divided into two main parts, reflecting Harrison's umpiring experiences in two different countries. The first part covers his early years officiating men's league cricket in Kent, England. The second part details his time umpiring women's cricket in Melbourne, Australia. This structure provides an interesting contrast between the two cricketing cultures and genders.
The book is organized into 51 short chapters, each centered around a particular match or aspect of cricket. This format makes the book easy to read and digest. Readers can enjoy the book in short bursts, making it perfect for those with busy schedules or those who prefer bite-sized stories.
Harrison's memoir touches on various aspects of cricket beyond just the rules of the game. He explores the social elements of cricket in Kent, including the importance of pubs and teas to the local cricketing culture. The author's decision to focus exclusively on women's cricket in Australia is a noteworthy aspect of the book. It provides readers with a glimpse into the growing world of women's cricket, featuring rising stars like Sophie Molineux, Elyse Villani, and Meg Lanning. This focus is particularly timely given the increasing prominence of women's cricket on the global stage.
Harrison's writing style is characterized by its wry, dry Australian humor. This approach makes the book highly readable and entertaining. The anecdotes he shares are often amusing and insightful, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a cricket umpire.
One of the book's main strengths is its unique perspective. While many cricket books focus on players or coaches, "Stumped" offers a rare insight into the world of umpiring. This fresh angle provides cricket enthusiasts with a new way to appreciate the game.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
The memoir is divided into two main parts, reflecting Harrison's umpiring experiences in two different countries. The first part covers his early years officiating men's league cricket in Kent, England. The second part details his time umpiring women's cricket in Melbourne, Australia. This structure provides an interesting contrast between the two cricketing cultures and genders.
The book is organized into 51 short chapters, each centered around a particular match or aspect of cricket. This format makes the book easy to read and digest. Readers can enjoy the book in short bursts, making it perfect for those with busy schedules or those who prefer bite-sized stories.
Harrison's memoir touches on various aspects of cricket beyond just the rules of the game. He explores the social elements of cricket in Kent, including the importance of pubs and teas to the local cricketing culture. The author's decision to focus exclusively on women's cricket in Australia is a noteworthy aspect of the book. It provides readers with a glimpse into the growing world of women's cricket, featuring rising stars like Sophie Molineux, Elyse Villani, and Meg Lanning. This focus is particularly timely given the increasing prominence of women's cricket on the global stage.
Harrison's writing style is characterized by its wry, dry Australian humor. This approach makes the book highly readable and entertaining. The anecdotes he shares are often amusing and insightful, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a cricket umpire.
One of the book's main strengths is its unique perspective. While many cricket books focus on players or coaches, "Stumped" offers a rare insight into the world of umpiring. This fresh angle provides cricket enthusiasts with a new way to appreciate the game.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
April 30, 2023
An easy-reading uncomplicated memoir about life umpiring in the middle cricket leagues. While it doesn't contain many high profile names or international drama, it offers a wonderful insight into cricket culture both in England and Australia.
The cultural differences certainly boosted the book up from what would have been just a leasurely collection of Cricket-club anecdotes. Comparing not only the cultures of the two countries but also the men's vs women's leagues presents plenty of contrast amongst the authors journey from English village cricket to the MCG.
Don't read this book if you are looking for drama; the most drama is an eposode of Heat-Stroke and perhaps some questionable assistance to a junior fielding side. Read this book if you simply like the game of Cricket, and you choose to stop when driving past a local suburban or rural game on a pleasant day, perch under a tree with a couple of sandwiches and some time to spare.
And then chat to the umpires afterwards.
The cultural differences certainly boosted the book up from what would have been just a leasurely collection of Cricket-club anecdotes. Comparing not only the cultures of the two countries but also the men's vs women's leagues presents plenty of contrast amongst the authors journey from English village cricket to the MCG.
Don't read this book if you are looking for drama; the most drama is an eposode of Heat-Stroke and perhaps some questionable assistance to a junior fielding side. Read this book if you simply like the game of Cricket, and you choose to stop when driving past a local suburban or rural game on a pleasant day, perch under a tree with a couple of sandwiches and some time to spare.
And then chat to the umpires afterwards.
November 20, 2025
As a keen cricket fan, I received this new way of looking at the sport from a different angle as a birthday present. I had no idea that umpiring at even a low level requires quite a degree of learning and common sense as well as a knowledge of the game and examination by a panel of umpires.
Written in a light hearted style on cricket in the South of England and in Victoria by an obvious lover of the game.
Written in a light hearted style on cricket in the South of England and in Victoria by an obvious lover of the game.
April 9, 2021
Howzat in two countries
The book is quite simply written and takes you the quiet world of an umpire in England and Australia. The stories talks about the quaintness of village cricket and the different vibe in many grounds in lower leagues in Austrailia. Richard is endearing with his stories. Well worth a read
The book is quite simply written and takes you the quiet world of an umpire in England and Australia. The stories talks about the quaintness of village cricket and the different vibe in many grounds in lower leagues in Austrailia. Richard is endearing with his stories. Well worth a read
August 27, 2020
The ump clearly has a sense of humour. Thoroughly enjoyed this short memoir of an umpire, who officiated in cricket matches in English villages and in women's league matches in Australia. Wouldn't have minded if it was longer. A light, enjoyable read for lovers of the game.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews