📖 Overview
How to Play Cricket is a technical instruction manual written by cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman, published in 1969. The book details cricket fundamentals, techniques, and strategies based on Bradman's experience as one of the sport's greatest players.
The text covers batting, bowling, and fielding through step-by-step explanations and diagrams. Bradman breaks down complex cricket skills into clear components while addressing both basic and advanced concepts.
Each chapter focuses on specific aspects of cricket play, supplemented by personal anecdotes from Bradman's career and matches. The book includes sections on mental preparation, practice methods, and match tactics.
The guide reflects Bradman's belief in solid technical foundations and disciplined approach to cricket, presenting the sport as one requiring both physical skill and strategic thinking. Its enduring influence stems from the author's unmatched expertise and straightforward teaching style.
👀 Reviews
There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Sir Donald Bradman's overall work:
Readers praise Bradman's clear, methodical explanations of cricket technique in "The Art of Cricket." Many note how his analytical approach breaks down complex batting movements into learnable components. Comments frequently highlight the book's detailed diagrams and photographs.
What readers liked:
- Technical precision in explaining batting mechanics
- Historical value as a record of Bradman's methods
- Practical coaching advice that remains relevant
- Quality of instructional photographs
What readers disliked:
- Writing style can be dry and academic
- Some techniques described are challenging for amateur players
- Dated references and equipment descriptions
- Limited focus on modern cricket variations
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.7/5 (83 reviews)
Goodreads: 4.4/5 (156 ratings)
Notable reader comment from Amazon: "The technical detail is unmatched - Bradman explains exactly how he achieved his remarkable consistency through precise foot movement and bat positioning."
Most reviews focus on "The Art of Cricket," with fewer reviews available for his other works like "How to Play Cricket."
📚 Similar books
The Art of Cricket by Sir Donald Bradman
A masterclass in cricket technique and strategy from the same legendary batsman, expanding beyond his first instructional work.
Cricket: The Game of Life by Scyld Berry The technical aspects of cricket intersect with its cultural significance through historical analysis and player insights.
Bob Woolmer's Art and Science of Cricket by Bob Woolmer A comprehensive examination of cricket coaching methods integrates modern sports science with traditional playing techniques.
Cricket: Steps to Success by Ralph Dellor and Luke Sellers A structured approach to learning cricket skills presents progressive training methods for all aspects of the game.
The Cricket Way by Ian Botham A cricket instruction manual focuses on practical playing techniques drawn from professional experience at the highest level.
Cricket: The Game of Life by Scyld Berry The technical aspects of cricket intersect with its cultural significance through historical analysis and player insights.
Bob Woolmer's Art and Science of Cricket by Bob Woolmer A comprehensive examination of cricket coaching methods integrates modern sports science with traditional playing techniques.
Cricket: Steps to Success by Ralph Dellor and Luke Sellers A structured approach to learning cricket skills presents progressive training methods for all aspects of the game.
The Cricket Way by Ian Botham A cricket instruction manual focuses on practical playing techniques drawn from professional experience at the highest level.
🤔 Interesting facts
📚 Sir Donald Bradman wrote "How to Play Cricket" in 1935 when he was just 27 years old, already an established cricket legend.
🏏 The book includes detailed analysis of Bradman's famous "rotary" batting technique, which many tried but few could successfully replicate.
🌟 Bradman's test batting average of 99.94, which he discusses in the book, remains the highest in cricket history and is considered one of sports' most unbreakable records.
📖 The original edition featured 129 action photographs, revolutionary for its time, including frame-by-frame sequences of batting techniques.
🎯 Despite being written over 85 years ago, many of the book's fundamental principles about batting technique, concentration, and practice methods are still taught in cricket academies today.