Final Wicket

Test and First Class Cricketers Killed in the Great War

 

Nigel McCrery

Barnsely, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword, 2024

Paperback        496pp    RRP $52.99

 

Reviewer: Neville Taylor, October 2024

 

This is an incredibly detailed ‘Roll of Honour’ of 275 talented cricketers who paid the supreme sacrifice during the Great War. There are entries for twelve Test cricketers from all the realms and the balance have been categorised by their countries. The records are listed by date of death (from 25 August 1914 to 31 December 1918) and their country of origin lists the cricketers by date of death also – making it very simple to locate a specific individual without using an index.

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With nine exceptions, each entry contains at least one photograph, final rank and posting, date of death and age, and their cricketing prowess. A brief quote prefaces generous biographies that covers cricketing record, military activity and description of fatality and final resting place. Two tables – Batting and fielding averages and Bowling averages - round out each record.

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McCrery must be admired for his courage in undertaking such a daunting task, his detailed research spread across so many cricketing nations and his meticulous attention to the smallest detail. This monumental work deserves a place in the library/memorabilia of every institution that ever fielded a First-class side in the early 20th century.

 

 

 

The RUSI – Vic Library is most grateful to the publishers for making this work available for review.