THE CRICKET-FIELD: OR THE HISTORY AND THE SCIENCE OF THE GAME OF CRICKET

Rev. James PYCROFT

Published by Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1859

About this Item

James Pycroft (1813-1895) was born at Geyers House, in Wiltshire, and died at Brighton aged 82. The Cricket Field was his major work, and remains one of cricket's key early books. His approach, also favoured by many other authors of the day, was to mythologise cricket as a noble, manly and essentially British pastime, favourably comparing the virtues of Victorian cricket with the disgraceful state of play at the turn of the century, when betting on the outcome of matches was widespread. "If there should happen by any chance to be a cricketer who has never heard of a book called The Cricket-Field, written by Mr Pycroft, he is strongly advised to buy it at once ." suggested FS Ashley-Cooper ". for it is the book on which nearly all others, in the historical part at least, may be said to be founded ." Third Edition. 12mo. xvii + 269pp. Frontispiece of "The Bowler" (William Clarke), further plate of "The Batsman" (Fuller Pilch). Several engraved figures in the text. Some light internal foxing. Rebound in brown boards with gilt title to spine. New endpapers and pastedowns. A very good copy. [Padwick, 394] A seminal work which Charles Britton called "one of the most entertaining books on cricket" and "one of the classics of the game". Seller Inventory # 87078

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE CRICKET-FIELD: OR THE HISTORY AND THE ...

Publisher: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans

Publication Date: 1859