From Alex Price's on-field karaoke session to Rob Quiney's resurrection of a dead seagull and Shane Watson's formidably funny front pad, these are the moments of physical slapstick and verbal repartee that make Australian cricket unique. Some moments are instant classics while some take decades to pay off and, naturally, some involve players getting hit in the nuts. In 100 Funniest Moments in Australian Cricket, sports journalist, comedy writer and well-known cricket tragic Dan Liebke takes us on a hilarious journey through cricket history, showing us that good cricket is good, but funny cricket is amazing.
One of The Times' 50 Greatest Sports Books In May 1977, the cricket world awoke to discover that a thirty-nine-year-old Sydney Businessman called Kerry Packer had signed thirty-five elite international players for his own televised 'World Series'. The Cricket War is the definitive account of the split that changed the game on the field and on the screen. In helmets, under lights, with white balls, and in coloured clothes, the outlaw armies of Ian Chappell, Tony Greig and Clive Lloyd fought a daily battle of survival. In boardrooms and courtrooms Packer and cricket's rulers fought a bitter war of nerves. A compelling account of the top-class sporting life, The Cricket War also gives a unique insight into the motives and methods of the man who became Australia's richest, and remained so, until the day he died. It was the end of cricket as we knew it – and the beginning of cricket as we know it. Gideon Haigh has published over thirty books, over twenty of them about cricket. This edition of The Cricket War, Gideon Haigh's first book about cricket originally published in 1993, has been updated with new photographs and a new introduction by the author.
Meet Leonardo, an arty young quokka on Rottnest Island. Drawn by the bright city lights across the sea, Leo comes up with a dastardly plan to escape a life of endless selfies with tourists. He runs away to become a painter! But making it in the big smoke isn't as easy as he thought and soon Leo starts to wonder - is he such a clever quokka after all? Based on a true story, QUITE A CLEVER QUOKKA is for anyone who stays true to their dreams when the going gets tough.
Trust me, there is life and love (and plenty of laughter) after divorce, even when your ex is one of Australia’s highest profile sport stars. Actually, I Don’t Like Cricket Or Blow Jobs! (And to be honest, I suck at both.) Yes, that was what I originally wanted to call this book. But then I realised that some women like cricket. Also, reading this in front of your inquisitive seven-year-old could lead to some awkward conversations. So, in stepped Currently Between Husbands to save the day and any blushes. Having a relationship in the spotlight is hard enough, but in Currently Between Husbands, Cathrine Mahoney details the unique experience of breaking up with one of Australia's highest profile sport stars. Even for a self-confessed over-sharer, the breakdown of her marriage to rugby league player Andrew Johns was more public than she was used to. In her first book, the writer, podcaster and publicist provides a self-deprecating and hilarious look at her life – from fashion mistakes and early crushes as a kid growing up in Wales, to her years working with some of the world's biggest stars at Sony Music, to navigating life and love as a ‘solo’ mum, and coming to terms with hitting the big 4-0. Currently Between Husbands is the equivalent of having a chat with your bestie over a drink or two, with all the inappropriate confessions, front bottom revelations and teary moments that entails. ‘Desperately funny, fearless and full of heart.’ Meg Mason, author of Sorrow and Bliss ‘Strap in. You’re in for a fabulous ride. And you’ll be wishing (like I was before I knew her) that she was your friend. It’s a bloody good book, and I didn’t want it to end.’ Amanda Keller OAM, radio and TV host ‘My all-time favourite movie is Bridget Jones’ Diary – to anoint a real-life version is a big deal – but Cathrine Mahoney is it Bridget to a tee. I’d pay to read a post it note she wrote, let alone a book. Cathrine’s ability to be funny, clever, relatable, self-deprecating and just so loveable is unlike anyone I’ve ever met.’ Erin Molan, TV presenter, radio host and writer
Possibly the fastest bowler of his era, Eddie Gilbert's story includes three legendary encounters with the incomparable Don Bradman. But this story transcends cricket. It is the powerful, tragic experience of an Aboriginal Australian struggling to succeed in racist Queensland of the 1930s.
Every sporting fan, young and old, who has been to the Sydney Cricket Ground has a find recollection of a day or night, or days and nights, from the ground that captured the unique appeal of top-level sport at such a sacred venue. 'Memories live longer than dreams,' says 90-year-old Alan Davidson, one of the all-time greats of Australian cricket. 'That's the biggest thing about coming here. I can remember every game that I ever played, every incident, every shot.' Davidson was sitting in the home dressing room, looking out on Cricket Ground's hallowed turf, the same emerald green ground trodden on by so many Australia's sporting champions over the last 140 years. He was in the company of his friend and old teammate Neil Harvey, and also Andrew Webster, Sydney's No.1 sportswriter. The three of them, masters of their trades, were just yarning, about the glory days and what this great sporting cathedral means to each of them. This revealing conversation opens If These Walls Could Talk, Webster's very personal look at what sets the Ground - and sport at the highest level - apart. Some famous names jump from the pages, including Steve Waugh, Tony Lockett, Mark Ella, Ray Baartz and Steve Mortimer. There is controversy, too, and the overwhelming sadness of the death of Phillip Hughes. Webster focuses on ten moments that hugely impacted on him, as a journalist and fan, in a way that will resonate with everyone who cherishes their own special memories of the 'SCG'.
What's on your bucket list? For one man the answer was just the beginning. Have you ever allowed yourself time to think about what's really important to you? Something you have always dreamed of doing? In a moment of reflection after the loss of a friend, Sebastian Terry's answer is a list of 100 things, the things he's always wanted to do. Sebastian embarks on an incredible adventure which sees him Get Shot in Colombia, Crash the Red Carpet at the Cannes Film Festival and Cycle Through Cuba - all in an effort to ensure he lives a life without regrets. Now more than halfway through his list, Sebastian has realised that his journey is part of something so much bigger . . . 100 Things is a humorous, action-packed story for anyone who's ever dreamed about living every day like it was their last.
