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The Inside Edge
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 13, 2022
Any true Australian Cricket fan is going through a tough time at the moment, with the demise of Shane Warne and Rodney Marsh. As someone who grew up in the 70s, the demise of Marsh, at this stage, has hit me more than the demise of Warne. Like many my age, my heroes could be summed up in three names - Lillee, Marsh and Chappell. Greg Chappell had the grace, Lillee had the menace, and Marsh was the everyman: there was no doubt of his skill, but he seemed like one of us...he looked like your mate's Dad.
But in every way he wasn't like your mate's Dad - he was, for quite a few years, the embodiment of Australia. He was such a presence, then and later in his career when he moved into coaching, that it's hard to believe he's gone. The Inside Edge, written just after the 1982-83 season, is a collection of Rodney's thoughts on the recently completed tour of Pakistan, the victorious Ashes series, and views on players and fans, all delivered in Rodney's no-nonsense style.
He pulled no punches in deploring crowd behaviour, especially at the WACA, where Terry Alderman busted his shoulder tackling an errant spectator. Neither was he backward in airing his views on the up-and-coming Australian players. He loved what he saw of an emerging Geoff Lawson, and the renewed vigor of Rodney Hogg and David Hookes.
He reiterates the true grit and never-say-die attitude of his great friend Dennis Lillee, and he admires the grace under fire of Bob Willis, and tells us that not only did he not see a ball of the great Border-Thomson partnership that nearly won us the Melbourne Test, but also that he was drunk for the lot of it!
Not only is The Inside Edge a reminder of Rod Marsh's longevity, skill and sense of humour, but also reminds us of a great period in cricket, and some of the lesser lights. Reading it made me smile, and helped ease the pain of the loss of one of Australia's greats. RIP Bacchus.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
But in every way he wasn't like your mate's Dad - he was, for quite a few years, the embodiment of Australia. He was such a presence, then and later in his career when he moved into coaching, that it's hard to believe he's gone. The Inside Edge, written just after the 1982-83 season, is a collection of Rodney's thoughts on the recently completed tour of Pakistan, the victorious Ashes series, and views on players and fans, all delivered in Rodney's no-nonsense style.
He pulled no punches in deploring crowd behaviour, especially at the WACA, where Terry Alderman busted his shoulder tackling an errant spectator. Neither was he backward in airing his views on the up-and-coming Australian players. He loved what he saw of an emerging Geoff Lawson, and the renewed vigor of Rodney Hogg and David Hookes.
He reiterates the true grit and never-say-die attitude of his great friend Dennis Lillee, and he admires the grace under fire of Bob Willis, and tells us that not only did he not see a ball of the great Border-Thomson partnership that nearly won us the Melbourne Test, but also that he was drunk for the lot of it!
Not only is The Inside Edge a reminder of Rod Marsh's longevity, skill and sense of humour, but also reminds us of a great period in cricket, and some of the lesser lights. Reading it made me smile, and helped ease the pain of the loss of one of Australia's greats. RIP Bacchus.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
April 21, 2025
This book published in 1983, would not get written in 2025 because sportspeople these days are so media trained that you can not get a true picture of what they truly think. This has had an effect of a homogeneous reportage. Because of this Rodney Marsh is a breath of fresh air. His views are those of Australians of that era. Sometimes, he has put his foot squarely in it, but equally he honestly reviews and sometimes reverses his opinion. Towards the end you can get a sense that the ACB is starting to crack down on players expressing their honest opinions. It is a great window into the 1982 cricket season.
July 17, 2023
Interesting, and having to rack my brains to remember the 1982/83 cricket season (not successfully!), but I enjoyed reading about the magnificent players of that era. Rod Marsh wrote well and in a humorous manner, so a very enjoyable read.
January 11, 2010
Not likely to captivate the reader with a sense of wonder, but a good book nonetheless. Collectors should enjoy this one.
September 29, 2016
Read this book as a teenager.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews