Simply the Best

by David Lloyd

David 'Bumble' Lloyd is one of cricket's great characters - hilarious, informative and insightful, and filled with boundless enthusiasm for the game. Now, in Simply the Best, he tells the stories of the most important, influential, talented and entertaining characters he has come across in sixty years in the game.   Following on from the bestselling successes of Last in the Tin Bath and Around the World in 80 Pints, in his new book Bumble looks back at the cricketers who have had the greatest impact on him throughout his career. From the gnarly veterans he first played against as a teenager in the Lancashire League, through the old pros he met on the county circuit while at Lancashire on to a revealing insight into life alongside Mike Atherton, Ian Botham, Nasser Hussain and Shane Warne in the commentary box, this book reveals Bumble at his telling great stories about his favourite people.  Along the way, the reader not only learns who have been the funniest or most dangerous players to be around, but also gets an insight into what makes a team gel and players to perform at their very peak. It's the perfect gift for any cricket fan who loves the game and needs something to keep them amused as the autumn draws in and winter takes over.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2020

About the author

David Lloyd, aka "Bumble", is a former Lancashire and England cricketer who also coached both sides. He first came to prominence on the iconic Test Match Special radio show before becoming a leading member of the SkySports cricket commentary team, and the face of their Twenty20 coverage. He writes a fortnightly column for the Daily Mail, a blog on the SkySports website, and appears regularly on Cricinfo's cricket podcast. Bumble is a massively popular after-dinner speaker and has also been a star turn in Countdown's Dictionary Corner.

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good for some light-hearted anecdotes but it never seems to work out what it wants to be. Some players are included because they are genuine characters, others merit a place because they are widely accepted as great players. There are many books about the latter already, sticking with the former and casting light on some obscure or forgotten parts of the game might have resulted in a more interesting read.

The ghostwriting is somewhat limited, too often it reads like an unedited transcript, especially the later chapters where every other sentence starts with "Think back to...". The more interesting chapters are definitely those about some of the older county and club players Lloyd has met, and these are probably the highlights, where the anecdotes are a vehicle to discuss how the game has changed. The later chapters about recent and current England players seem tagged on to maintain relevancy among a newer cricketing audience.

[Michael Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another collection of memoirs from Bumble. I think this is the third or fourth that I've read and all have been entertaining. But lets be honest, Mr Lloyd is milking a lifetimes worth of cricketing anecdotes in order to make a fast buck. I don't have a problem with this but it is what it is. It's also highly amusing and entertaining.

[John Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun. Amusing anecdotes and general goodwill to all.

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light hearted ramble about cricketers Bumble has played with, coached or met. Enjoyable if you haven't got better things to do, like watch or play cricket.

[Rog the Jammy Dodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot remember what I was going to say about this book. Is that an age thing?