The Strangers Who Came Home: The First Australian Cricket Tour of England - Softcover

John Lazenby

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1408844664 ISBN 13: 9781408844663

Publisher: Bloomsbury, 2015

Synopsis

The Ashes cricket series, played out between England and Australia, is the oldest - and undoubtedly the most keenly-contested - rivalry in international sport. And yet the majority of the first representative Australian cricket team to tour England in 1878 in fact regarded themselves as Englishmen. In May of that year the SS City of Berlin docked at Liverpool, and the Australians stepped onto English ground to begin the inaugural first-class cricket tour of England by a representative overseas team. As they made their way south towards Lord's to play MCC in the second match of the tour, the intrepid tourists - or `the strangers' as they were referred to in the press - encountered arrogance and ignorance, cheating umpires and miserable weather. But by defeating a powerful MCC side which included W.G. Grace himself in a single afternoon's play, they turned English cricket on its head. The Lord's crowd, having begun by openly laughing at the tourists, were soon wildly celebrating a victory that has been described as `arguably the most momentous six hours in cricket history' and claiming the Australians as their own. The Strangers Who Came Home is a compelling social history which brings that momentous summer to life, telling the story of these extraordinary men who travelled thousands of miles, risking life and limb, playing 43 matches in England (as well as several in Philadelphia, America, on their return journey) during a demanding but ultimately triumphant homecoming; how their glorious achievements on the field of play threw open the doors to international sports touring, and how these men from the colonies provided the stimulus for Australian nationhood through their sporting success and brought unprecedented vitality to international cricket.

About this title

About the Author:

John Lazenby has since 1997 worked as a freelance journalist on national newspapers including The Times, the Sunday Times, the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph and as a sports broadcaster for both radio and television. His first book, Test of Time: Travels in Search of a Cricketing Legend was longlisted for the William Hill Prize. He lives in London.

Review:

John Lazenby takes us on a fascinating journey. His research and eye for detail is evidenced by a comprehensive bibliography, while an accomplished narrative style makes this a joy to read. * Western Morning News * Fascinating * Choice Magazine *

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1408844664
• ISBN 13: 9781408844663
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 1