Short description
Spiced with humour, the tales of epic encounters at Clifton Hampden are told alongside more modest affairs at Lords, Headingley and OldTrafford.
Long description
Of all the books about cricket, Mike Harfield's Not Dark Yet brings a rare authenticity to the subject. This is a book by a genuine cricketer and a genuine cricket fan with a talent for capturing the spirit of this special game in his witty prose. David Lloyd, aka Bumble, laughed so much he agreed to write the Foreword. He even showed the book to Christopher Martin-Jenkins who found it 'very entertaining and enjoyable'. Reading the book raises the spirits with its cheerful jollity. The mixture of banter and eclectic cricketing information carries the reader along, making for both easy and captivating reading. Loosely based around Mike Harfield's captaincy of a cricket XI over 30 years, Not Dark Yet is both the humorous story of his team's efforts and his often irreverent take on first-class and international cricket. For 30 years the Mike Harfield XI has withstood atrocious umpiring, dreadful hangovers, bad haircuts and a woeful lack of talent, only to encounter an even greater adversity - middle age. Spiced with humour and plenty of banter about fellow team-mates and international players alike, their captain's tales convey an authentic picture of one team's endeavours, to which cricketers and non cricketers will easily relate.
Review
Of similar books, it's the best - Charles Randall, Daily Telegraph Cricket Correspondent A worthy addition to the world of cricket humour - Sir Tim Rice Book of the month - All Out Cricket Magazine Highly recommended - 334 Not Out I laughed so much I nearly passed my fags round - David Lloyd Very entertaining and enjoyable - Christopher Martin Jenkins A marvellously evocative portrayal of village cricket - Steve Knowles The gentle, droll evocation of the pleasures of cricket - Wisden Cricketer