Mike Atherton

I've never read a sports autobiography before, and may never again, but I was interested in this because (a) I love cricket and (b) Atherton as a journalist/commentator has some interesting things to say, laced with a dry wit and a knowledge that extends outside cricket. With that in mind, I'm less interested in the narrative of events in Atherton's life, which, not unreasonably, takes up most of the book. I like the reflections on what it takes to be an opening batsman -- the concentration, the mental and physical tussles with bowlers -- as in the account of one of Atherton's duels with Allan Donald. My favourite quote: "The essence of the game lies in its human element — the fraillties, the errors and the often irrational emotional responses that characterise us as living, feeling beings rather than as automatons. A batsman must learn to accept his fate — the unplayable delivery, the brilliant catch, a spiteful wicket, a poor [umpiring] decision. These things are beyond his control and how he copes with these setbacks is part of the challenge of the game. Life is not fair — why should cricket be any different?"… (meer)