Bat, Ball and Field

Bat, Ball and Field is a wonderful foray into the history and culture of cricket. ‘Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best’ Cricketer Chronicling the evolution of the sport since its earliest years, highlighting transcendent moments as well as tragedies, Jon Hotten lifts the seemingly impregnable veil from the Laws, batting strokes, types of bowling and the sometimes absurd names given to where fielders stand, allowing anyone a pathway into enjoying the sport, and an introductory immersion into its long history. This book is divided into the three parts that make up the fundamental elements of cricket: bat, ball and field. Their harmony produces cricket’s unique environment; their centuries’ long conflict provides its innovation, adaptability and vast psychological hinterland. These sections unite to map out in a completely original way the story of the sport that began as a country pursuit and is now followed by billions across the world.

‘Hotten holds court beautifully on all aspects of the game’ Guardian Praise for The Meaning of Cricket: ‘A beautifully written meditation on the joys of summer’ Tom Holland Evening Standard, Book of the Year ‘Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best… He has the eye for a beautifully judged phrase’ Cricketer ‘Hotten has emerged as a worthy addition to the lineage of writers who adhere to C L R James’s aphorism: “What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?”… This will be a worthy addition to any cricketing bookshelf’ New Statesman ‘For those dreaming of summer, The Meaning of Cricket is accessible, fun and elegantly written’ Hilary Mantel, New Statesman, Book of the Year ‘Simultaneously playful and packed with insight … All cricketing life is here… Hotten’s writing is accessible and often moving’ Observer ‘Memory and meditation twirled into a lovesong: Jon Hotten hits it out of the park’ William Fiennes

Jon Hotten is the author of four books, including Muscle and The Years of the Locust, and writes the popular cricket blog The Old Batsman. He co-wrote the award-winning documentary Death of a Gentleman, and his collaboration with the former England bowler Simon Jones, The Test, won the Wisden Almanack's Book of the Year award in 2016.