“In this book, Richard parallels his life’s landmarks and milestones with county
cricket’s arrival at an equally important juncture in its own existence. He manages to
intertwine and compare some of these personal struggles and challenges, such as
turning 50 , with the difficulties faced by the sport he so loves”
Ryan Ten Doeschate
In this episode of Guerillashire @tonybishop1 meets Last Wicket Stand author
Richard Clarke, perhaps better known as @The_Grumbler
Last-Wicket Stand is an honest account of one man's search for meaning, purpose
and reinvention, both for himself and the sport he loves. At the start of the 2020
season, English county cricket faced radical change. The Hundred was coming,
introducing new 'franchises' playing a new format in the hope of attracting much-
needed new audiences. Its inception was controversial. Advocates argued only
drastic action could halt the decline of cricket in the UK. Opponents feared it would
undermine the very fabric of the much-loved county game. One devoted Essex fan
set out to document the last summer before the big change. He toured the country in
2019 chronicling this often-ignored sport, from the gentle lullaby of the County
Championship to the bawdy singalong of T20 Finals Day. Richard Clarke was in his
50th year, at a personal crossroads and fearing his best days may be long gone.
Change vs tradition, growth vs security, money vs meaning - these perennial
struggles lie at the heart of this absorbing and revealing journey of redemption.
In an additional treat, Tony and Richard also find time to discuss an all-time great
@EssexCricket XI.
Thanks to Jeff Perkins for the theme tune and jingles and to Jon Stone for editing
and production support.
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