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From Darkness into Light

The War Heroes Who Helped Save Cricket from Oblivion
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
From Darkness into Light recounts the remarkable tale of how a group of cricketing soldiers played a pivotal role in reviving English cricket after the Great War. The book explores the challenges faced by the sport following a four-year hiatus and a troubled 1912 Triangular Series, highlighting the 1919 tour of the Australian Imperial Forces team across England and Scotland. Their efforts rekindled public interest and helped restore international cricket, setting the stage for the Ashes' return in 1920.
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Format: Hardback
$5995
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in sports history, cricket enthusiasts, and those fascinated by the impact of war on cultural life.

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From Darkness into Light tells the fascinating story of how a handful of intrepid cricketing soldiers helped save the game from oblivion. The Australian Imperial Forces cricket tour of 1919 helped to resurrect not only the English domestic game but Test cricket itself. The book fills an important gap in cricketing historiography.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From Darkness into Light tells the fascinating story of how a handful of intrepid cricketing soldiers helped save the game from oblivion. English cricket emerged from the Great War in a bruised and battered state. A four-year hiatus in the first-class game had left administrators, players, and aficionados anxious about whether life on the field could ever be the same again.

The state of Test cricket was even worse after the disastrous experiment of the Triangular Series of 1912. Into this maelstrom of uncertainty stepped the Australian Imperial Forces team. Comprised of men waiting for demobilisation, the XI toured England and Scotland in the summer of 1919. They were well received by cricket-hungry crowds and provided a great fillip to ailing county finances.

The popularity of international cricket was confirmed, and the tour paved the way for the resumption of Ashes contests the following year. This book traces the origins of the AIF XI and examines the myriad of controversies and confusion that surrounded its inception.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781801504423

Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 May 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pitch Publishing Ltd

Contributors:

  • With Anthony Condon

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 160.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Dr John Broom has written books about many aspects of 20th-century warfare and culture, including Cricket in the First and Second World Wars. Dr Anthony Condon is an Australian historian. He is interested in how culture and society perform to create identities. He has published scholarly work on cricket in the mid-19th century and commentates on cricket for White Line Wireless and Guerrilla Cricket.

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