Gone to the Test Match, written by legendary cricket broadcaster and author John Arlott, is a beautifully written account of the 1948 Ashes series—Australia’s historic tour under Bradman’s captaincy, famously known as the campaign of “The Invincibles.”
Published in 1949, this first edition provides Arlott’s vivid and poetic commentary on the Tests, the players, the atmosphere of English cricket grounds, and the decisiveness of one of the most influential tours in cricket history.
Arlott’s prose is rich, observant, and character-focused, making this one of the most engaging mid-century cricket books. His analysis of batting, bowling, fielding, weather, crowds, and personalities captures the essence of cricket as both sport and cultural expression.
For collectors, this book stands among the most desirable of Arlott’s early works. As John Arlott is one of the most respected voices in cricket writing—and this title focuses on the iconic 1948 Ashes—the book holds strong appeal among collectors of cricket literature and Bradman-era history.
Gone to the Test Match by John Arlott | First Edition, 1949
Title: Gone to the Test Match
Author: John Arlott
Publisher: Longmans, Green & Co Ltd
Publication Year: 1949
Place: London
Edition: First Edition
Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
Pages: 192
Dimensions: approx. 20.5 cm (H) × 13.5 cm (W) × 2.0 cm (D)
Condition: Dust Jacket: Bright green jacket with black and white photographic illustrations. Light edge wear, small chips, and rubbing consistent with age. A few corner bumps and slight top-edge curling. Price clipped on front flap. Overall presents well with strong colour retention. Book: Green cloth boards clean and straight. Gilt lettering on spine bright, though slightly dulled near bottom. Minimal shelf wear to edges. Binding: firm and secure. Interior Pages: clean with mild age toning. Previous owner name to front pastedown. Overall Condition: Very Good
































