Pavilion 2017

Archie Mac | 7:57am GMT 13 November 2016

Published: 2016
Pages: 50
Author: Piesse, Ken (Editor)
Publisher: Australian Cricket Society
Rating: 3 stars

The Australian Cricket Society has been around since 1967, with the Melbourne branch the mainstay and this production is generated from that organisation. This publication is for the real cricket aficionado.

A great interview between Ken Piesse and Alan Davidson is full of reminiscences from the legendary bowler’s cricketing career about such greats as Don Bradman, Lindsay Hassett, Bill Brown and wicket keeper Wally Grout. The last name was a real character and baited Davo if he wasn’t bowling fast enough, standing over the stumps and singing derogatory ditties until Davo lifted his pace.

One thing that most cricket fans love is an all time XI and in this magazine we are spoilt with two such teams. One, selected by 40 years ACS member Greg McKie features the all time Victorian team. No Bill Lawry was a shock but when you have the two Bills, Ponsford and Woodfull to open, then it’s hard to argue for the inclusion of Phanto.

The other XI is titled Cricket’s Fortunate Sons and is an XI that author and Cricket Web friend Mark Browning believes were lucky to play Test cricket. My favourite was Walter Giffen, brother of legendary all round George, who finished with a Test average of 1.8 – as Browning writes ‘enough said’. A couple on this list may be surprised to see their names appear, such as Mike Whitney and Peter Taylor. To be fair Browning seems to be talking about both players’ fortunate debuts rather than their entire careers.

The current patron of the ACS is Ricky Ponting, and included in the magazine is an interview Ponting gave at the ACS annual dinner which includes an admission from the former Australian captain that “I know deep down the last two years I played, I probably wasn’t good enough”.

There are many other interesting articles in Pavilion, including the latest cricket books released as well as some books to avoid. Thankfully none of those listed in the latter category have been reviewed on Cricket Web. Pavilion is a fine read and will inspire many to join the ACS. Copies can be purchased from Ken Piesse at www.cricketbooks.com.au