The Entertainers: Talking Cricket Then and Now brings together two of Australia’s most naturally gifted and charismatic batsmen — Doug Walters of the 1960s–70s era and Mark Waugh of the 1990s golden generation — in an engaging cross-generational cricket conversation.
 
Rather than a traditional autobiography, this book unfolds as a lively exchange of stories, reflections and comparisons between two players separated by three decades but united by flair, timing and an instinctive approach to batting. Walters, famed for his audacious stroke play and larrikin spirit, and Waugh, renowned for his effortless elegance and classical style, discuss cricket across eras — from uncovered pitches and long tours to modern professionalism and commercialisation.
 
The narrative moves between:
Walters’ battles during the post-Bradman rebuilding years
Ashes contests in England during the 1960s and 70s
The rise of limited-overs cricket
Mark Waugh’s role in Australia’s 1990s dominance
The influence of captains, selectors and team culture
The mental side of batting and handling public scrutiny
 
A foreword by Richie Benaud — himself a bridge between generations — sets the tone, emphasising the enduring spirit of Australian cricket while acknowledging how dramatically the game changed over time.
 
What gives this book its charm is the conversational style. Walters’ dry humour and candid anecdotes sit comfortably alongside Waugh’s thoughtful analysis and understated wit. Together, they explore how cricket evolved from a largely amateur ethos to a highly commercial, media-driven global sport.
 
The book also offers personal insights into dressing room culture, sledging, rivalries, touring life and the pressures of national expectation. Readers gain perspective on how preparation, fitness, sponsorship and media coverage transformed between the 1970s and the late 1990s.