John Arlott (1914–1991) remains one of the most beloved figures in cricket literature and broadcasting. Celebrated for his evocative prose and unmistakable commentary style on BBC radio's Test Match Special, Arlott possessed a rare ability to capture not merely what happened on the field, but the atmosphere, personalities and emotions that made cricket unique.
 
His writings transcended scorecards and statistics, presenting cricket as both sport and cultural experience. Today, Arlott's books continue to attract collectors and readers who appreciate the literary side of the game.
 
About the Book
First published in 1951, Days at the Cricket is a collection of essays and reflections that celebrates the enduring pleasures of watching and understanding cricket.
 
Rather than providing a chronological account of a particular season or tour, Arlott offers a series of richly observed pieces that explore the many facets of the game. Through his elegant prose, readers are transported to county grounds and Test arenas alike, sharing in the sights, sounds and rhythms of cricket during the immediate post-war years.
 
Within these pages Arlott reflects upon:
Memorable matches and dramatic moments;
The character and temperament of great cricketers;
The distinctive atmosphere of English cricket grounds;
The traditions and rituals that surround the game;
The experience of spectatorship;
The changing nature of cricket in the post-war era;
The beauty, humour and occasional melancholy inherent in the sport.
 
Published only a few years after the end of the WWII, Days at the Cricket captures a period when cricket once again assumed its place at the heart of British summer life.
 
The early 1950s represented a fascinating transitional era. Veterans of the inter-war game shared the stage with emerging stars who would shape modern cricket. Arlott documented this changing landscape with warmth and insight, preserving the atmosphere of county grounds before commercialisation and mass media transformed the sport.