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Playing to Win: review of an evening with Australian cricket writer Barry Nicholls

An Australian view of the Ashes was the theme of Norfolk Cricket Society’s first meeting of the 2026-27 programme at Manor Park, Horsford.

Cricket writer Barry Nicholls discussed his 10th book, Playing to Win (Wakefield Press), the story of the 1972 five-match Test series in England, which finished 2-2 after a see-saw summer.

A former A-grade district cricketer and ABC Radio broadcaster who lives in Perth, Western Australia, Nicholls is combining a speaking tour with visiting family in Scotland.

He told an appreciative audience he was hooked on cricket as a child after his father took him to the Adelaide Oval for the opening day of the Sixth Test in the 1970-71 Ashes series.

Nicholls was immediately captivated by the game, whereas his mother and two brothers were bored and complained to such an extent that the family left before the close of play.

The match was drawn but notable for Dennis Lillee’s five wickets on Test debut and Norfolk-born John Edrich making 130 in England’s first innings.

England, captained by Ray Illingworth, won the seventh Test at Sydney to complete a 2-0 series win and regain the Ashes after a gap of 12 years.

But that final Test was significant because it was Ian Chappell’s first as captain of Australia after Bill Lawry was ruthlessly axed.

Chappell immediately learned from defeat after studying how Illingworth led the side and handled his bowlers, but it was also a controversial match in which Illingworth led his team off the field after fast bowler John Snow was grabbed by an angry spectator and pelted with missiles.

In the 1972 series that followed, England retained the Ashes with victories at Old Trafford and on a fungus-infested, grassless pitch at Headingley, where “Deadly” Derek Underwood took 10 wickets on his recall to the side.

Highlights for Australia were two victories in the capital. In the Second Test at Lord’s, they secured an eight-wicket win in which Western Australia opening bowler Bob Massie recorded the phenomenal match figures of 16 wickets for 137 on his debut, only to vanish from Test cricket within a year.

And in the final Test at The Oval, which was allocated a sixth day, the tourists won by five wickets after Ian Chappell and younger brother Greg each scored first innings centuries and shared a partnership of 201.

It was a first Ashes series in England for Lillee, Greg Chappell and wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, and the inspiration for Nicholls’ book comes from the belief, shared by the players, that the tour was a turning point in Australian cricket. They emerged as confident, aggressive and the top side in the world by the mid-70s under Ian Chappell’s captaincy, as well as helping to shape the modern game.

With the encouragement of batsman Ross Edwards and Ian Chappell, author Nicholls tracked down many of the squad that toured England.

Nicholls argues that victory at The Oval in 1972 was vital to Ian Chappell’s continuation as captain, for a 3-1 series defeat might have seen him removed from the job.

With the new breed of Australian Test stars increasingly at odds with the game’s administrators, illustrated by Chappell’s strained relationship with Sir Donald Bradman, his reign as captain ushered in a new order of things as he became a prime mover in establishing Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.

Looking ahead during a question-and-answer session, the author admitted he was pessimistic about Australia’s chances in the 2027 Ashes series because of the ageing side and the failure to transition to new players.

Words by David Cuffley

Photos by Pete Golland & Rob Kelly

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Australian cricket the focus for season opener!

Norfolk Cricket Society is looking forward to welcoming Australian cricket writer Barry Nicholls as our first guest speaker of 2026/27 on Wednesday 23 September 2026 (7.30pm).

Barry is a former A-grade district cricketer who has written about the sport for three decades. He was a broadcaster on ABC Radio for nearly 20 years and has also contributed to Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac Australia.

Barry has written several books, with two of his most recent works – ‘Playing to Win: Australia and the 1972 Ashes’ and ‘The Establishment Boys: The Other Side of Kerry Packer’s Cricket Revolution’ being the focus of discussion for our evening.

In ‘Playing to Win‘ Barry tells the story of the inexperienced 1972 Australians. Labelled the worst team ever by the English press, they arrived in England full of swagger under their newly appointed captain, Ian Chappell, who announced they were playing to win. The intriguing Ashes series that followed, and the simmering disquiet about how the game was being administered, transformed Test cricket. Playing to Win evocatively captures the story of that English summer, a series that, thanks to Ian Chappell and his team, shaped the modern game.

Set during Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket revolution, ‘The Establishment Boys’ book tells the story of the Australian Test cricketers plucked from the backwaters of the domestic game to take on full-strength international sides. These men became known as the ‘Establishment Boys’, and they all have important stories to share.

The event starts at 7.30pm at Horsford Cricket Club. Entrance for non-members is £7, cash payable on the door.

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Picture of England: review of an evening with photographer Gareth Copley-Jones

If a picture paints a thousand words, then Gareth Copley-Jones has produced a truly epic story of the England cricket team over the past two decades.

His newly-released magnum opus is “A Picture of England: Twenty Years Photographing the England Cricket Team Home and Away” (Pitch Publishing).

A sports photographer for 30 years, working for Press Association and now Getty Images, Gareth brought the Norfolk Cricket Society 2025-26 programme to a close as guest speaker at Manor Park on Thursday, April 23.

As official England men’s team photographer, his role has given him privileged and unrivalled access to the national team, the players and personalities involved in a period of dramatic highs and lows, covering more than 180 Test matches and 38 overseas tours, most memorably the 2010-11 Ashes series in Australia, plus limited overs tournaments and series, including the 2019 World Cup triumph.

He is one of a very select group to have won both the Sports Journalists’ Association Photographer of the Year and first prize in the World Press Awards.

Gareth started work in the age of film cameras, mostly at football and rugby grounds, where one of his jobs was to develop film on the spot.

He told an appreciative audience he had not been a cricket fan, partly because he feared the red ball as a youngster. But he covered his first Test match at Old Trafford in 2001, and he fell in love with the game after agreeing to cover England’s tour of Pakistan at the end of 2005, on condition he would also be assigned to the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia.

He had a baptism of fire in Pakistan when the team were greeted by armed security in Karachi on their arrival, providing one of the first images in the book.

Among his outstanding work featured are an award-winning shot of Jonathan Trott being run out on his Test debut at The Oval in 2009, a favourite photo of Mark Wood and Ben Stokes in the dressing room after England’s 2015 Ashes triumph – their last series win over Australia – and his famous picture of Stokes celebrating his winning boundary at Headingley in 2019. The main cover picture shows James Anderson and eight teammates celebrating the match-winning dismissal of Brad Haddin at Trent Bridge in 2013.

The foreword for the book is provided by Joe Root, Gareth’s favourite player. He described Root as totally unchanged by the fame and success he has enjoyed since his Test debut in 2012, but he generally finds bowlers better company than batsmen, whose moods are affected by their form. Gareth rates Chris Woakes, pictured walking out to bat with his arm in a sling against India at The Oval last year, as the most genuine person in the game.

Gareth discussed topics including the importance of watching every single ball, the instant transmission of pictures to media outlets, the difficulties of covering cricket during the Covid restrictions and the infamous Stanford Super Series in the West Indies in 2008.

Rory Dollard, cricket correspondent at PA Media, wrote the supporting text for the book, interviewing England players about the images in which they feature. Gareth and Rory’s royalties from the sale of the book are being donated to the MND Association to support research into a cure and to improve access to care for those affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

Words by David Cuffley

Photos by Nick Morton, Pete Golland & Rob Kelly

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Behind the lens! – An evening with cricket photographer Gareth Copley-Jones

Norfolk Cricket Society is delighted to announce a special evening celebrating the art of cricket photography, featuring acclaimed photographer Gareth Copley-Jones, on Thursday 23 April 2026. This promises to be a fascinating event for cricket lovers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the stories behind some of the most iconic images in the modern game.

Gareth has built a remarkable career, capturing the drama, emotion and beauty of cricket at the very highest level. As an official photographer of the England men’s cricket team, he has worked at some of the sport’s most historic venues and documented unforgettable moments from Ashes battles, World Cup fixtures, and gripping Test matches around the globe. His work offers a unique perspective on the game — not just the action, but the atmosphere, tension, and human stories that unfold both on and off the field.

During the evening, Gareth will take us behind the lens to explore the craft and techniques that underpin his photography. From anticipating the split-second timing of a decisive shot, to mastering light, composition, and positioning in challenging conditions, he will reveal what it takes to consistently produce world-class sporting imagery. Attendees will gain insight into how preparation, instinct, and deep knowledge of the game combine to create photographs that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Gareth will also share experiences from working alongside some of cricket’s biggest names. Having photographed leading international players in the heat of competition, he brings first-hand stories of capturing defining moments — whether it’s the intensity of a fast bowler’s delivery stride, the precision of a batter at the crease, or the raw emotion of victory and defeat. These stories, paired with his images, offer a compelling glimpse into elite sport through the eyes of someone who has been there at the crucial moment.

A highlight of the evening will be a presentation of some of Gareth’s award-winning photographs. These striking images showcase not only technical excellence but also a deep appreciation for the spirit of cricket. Each photograph tells its own story, reflecting Gareth’s ability to blend artistry with reportage in a way that brings the game vividly to life.

The event will also feature a discussion of Gareth’s new book, Picture of England, a stunning collection that chronicles his journey and celebrates the England team through his lens. Royalties from the sale of the book are being donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

There will be an opportunity for attendees to take part in a Q&A session, giving you the chance to ask Gareth about his work, his experiences on tour, and the techniques behind his most memorable shots.

This promises to be an engaging and inspiring evening, offering rare insight into the intersection of sport and visual storytelling. Norfolk Cricket Society looks forward to welcoming members and guests to what is sure to be a memorable occasion.

The event starts at 7.30pm at Horsford Cricket Club. Entrance for non-members is £7, cash payable on the door.

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Taylor-made evening – the perfect fit!

The fight for a regular England place became a fight for life itself when James Taylor’s cricket career came to a devastating end at the age of 26.

Ten years ago, Taylor returned from playing a key role in England’s 2-1 Test series win in South Africa and was eagerly awaiting the international summer on home territory when a potentially fatal heart condition was diagnosed and his playing days were suddenly over.

After seven Tests, 27 one-day internationals and 9,306 first-class runs for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, England Lions and England, he was told he risked possible death if he played cricket, or exercised, ever again. The career of the 5ft 6in star batter and lifelong fitness fanatic was, as reflected in the title of his autobiography, “Cut Short”.

The 36-year-old Taylor was guest speaker of Norfolk Cricket Society at Manor Park on Thursday, March 26th, where he gave a moving account of the day in Cambridge in April 2016 when he thought he was going to die. He talked of his long road to recovery and his return to the sport in a variety of roles at international and county level, and as a writer and commentator.

What proved to be his final innings was a swift dismissal for 10, playing for Notts against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s. Then, during warm-ups before the second day’s play, his heart began pounding like a drum and he sought the sanctuary of the dressing room, in agony and in fear.

After a traumatic day and a two-hour journey to his home in Nottingham, Taylor was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre and later City Hospital. At one point, his heart registered 265 beats per minute. What was initially thought to be a virus was a previously undiagnosed genetic heart disease, an arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. His retirement from cricket was announced within days.

Taylor told an appreciative audience he grew up in Leicestershire in a horse-riding family. His father was a jockey, and his sister rode for Great Britain juniors. He went to boarding school aged seven and later, at Shrewsbury School, he excelled in football and rugby before cricket became his career.

He made his first-class debut in 2008, played his first one-day international in 2011, and his first Test against South Africa at Headingley in 2012, in what he regards as one of the greatest England sides. He made 34 in a partnership of 147 with an unappreciative and dismissive Kevin Pietersen, who scored a magnificent 149 but was axed for the final Test at Lord’s after the infamous text messaging saga.

Taylor’s one-day international career included England’s dismal 2015 World Cup campaign, where he was left stranded on 98 not out against Australia when last man James Anderson was controversially run out, and a century against the Aussies at Old Trafford later the same year.

He became an England selector in 2018 and later England head scout, stepping down from the role in 2022 and rejoining Leicestershire in a coaching role.

He answered audience questions on the current England regime, county cricket, The Hundred and the future of Test cricket in a white-ball dominated schedule.

Words by David Cuffley

Photos by Pete Golland

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An evening Taylor-made for cricket fans in Norfolk!

Norfolk Cricket Society is delighted to invite cricket enthusiasts to a special evening with former England international cricketer James Taylor on Thursday 26th March. This unique event offers a rare opportunity to hear first-hand from one of England’s most talented modern batsmen as he reflects on his cricketing journey, the highs and challenges of professional sport, and the heart condition that brought his playing career to an unexpected early end.

James Taylor

James Taylor was widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted batsmen of his generation. His professional career began with Leicestershire, where his exceptional batting talent became clear from a young age. He later moved to Nottinghamshire, where he continued to develop into one of the most reliable and stylish batsmen on the county circuit. His consistent performances earned him international recognition, and he made his ODI debut for England in 2011 and Test debut versus South Africa in 2012.

Across his international appearances in Test cricket (7) and One Day Internationals (27), he earned a reputation as a player who combined grit with elegance at the crease. However, in April 2016, at the age of just 26 and at the peak of his career, he was forced to retire from professional cricket after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition.  

Former Horsford CC & Norfolk CCC batter Will Jefferson and James Taylor

During the evening, James will speak openly about receiving this diagnosis, the difficult decision to step away from the sport he loved, and how he adapted to life after professional cricket. His story is not only about cricketing success but also about resilience, perspective, and the importance of health and wellbeing.

There will also be a question-and-answer session, giving audience members the chance to put their own questions directly to James. Whether you want to ask about his experiences playing international cricket, or how he navigated such a sudden career change, this is a rare opportunity to engage with a former England player.

The event starts at 7pm at Horsford Cricket Club. Entrance for non-members is £7, cash payable on the door.

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Simon Hughes – analysed!

A veritable man for all seasons kept an appreciative audience royally entertained as Norfolk Cricket Society’s first guest speaker of 2026 on Thursday 26 February.

Since making his first-class debut in 1980, Simon Hughes has been a hardy perennial of the cricketing world at home and abroad, collecting multiple honours on and off the field as a fast-medium bowler for Middlesex and Durham, as an award-winning author and journalist, and as “The Analyst” on Channel 4’s innovative Test match coverage, before reprising the role on his Inside Cricket podcast with Simon Mann.

He told a packed room at Manor Park about blissful summers spent at Canterbury in the 1970s, watching the all-conquering Kent side, full of top internationals, before embarking on his own professional career at Lord’s.

Hughes entered a Middlesex dressing room full of star names and diverse characters, including captain Mike Brearley, Mike Gatting, Roland Butcher, Philippe Edmonds and Wayne Daniel, and in later years Phil Tufnell and Angus Fraser.

He described his first experience of bowling to Geoffrey Boycott, dismissing him only to hear the call of “no-ball”, and the ordeal of facing the blistering pace of West Indians such as Malcolm Marshall and Sylvester Clarke as a quaking tail-end batsman.

Hughes won a string of trophies in 12 seasons with Middlesex under Brearley and Gatting, including four County Championship titles, and enjoyed a benefit year in 1991 before spending his final two seasons on the county circuit with Durham on their entry into first-class cricket.

This involved playing, as well as drinking and dining with the one and only Ian Botham, an exhilarating, exhausting and expensive business.

Hughes rated Boycott, Botham and Shane Warne as three prime examples of the unshakeable self-belief needed to succeed in cricket at the highest level. Hughes and Warne never faced each other on the field, but the great leg-spinner often discussed his game with The Analyst during his broadcasting days, notably in the unforgettable 2005 Ashes series.

The disappearance of live Test cricket from terrestrial TV after the 2005 Ashes was a cause of deep regret for Hughes, who regarded it as a lost opportunity to build on the fresh public interest generated by the series and promote the game, with only a third of the population able to access today’s satellite coverage.

He believes the current standard of TV cricket commentary is the worst for years with notable exceptions such as Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain and the man he regards as the best of the broadcasters, New Zealander Ian Smith.

Hughes responded to an audience question about reverse swing bowling with a scientific explanation of the art, which he said had been around long before Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram perfected it in the early 1990s, but was not known by the name. He once spent a day investigating the phenomenon of swing bowling in a wind tunnel at Bath University’s aerodynamics department and produced a detailed report of his findings.

It was an evening that went with a swing in every sense.

Words by David Cuffley

Photos by Adam Pryke

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Look Hughes talking! The Analyst is our first guest speaker of 2026

Norfolk Cricket Society is delighted to announce that our guest speaker on Thursday 26 February 2026 will be the renowned broadcaster, author and former cricketer Simon Hughes.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS EVENT STARTS AT 6.45PM

Simon represented Middlesex for 12 seasons – winning four Championship titles – before later joining Durham during the formative years of their rise in first-class cricket. In total he played 205 first class matches, taking 466 wickets.  

Following retirement from professional cricket, Simon moved seamlessly into broadcasting and writing. He worked on Channel 4’s ground-breaking cricket coverage from 1999 to 2005 – becoming known as The Analyst for which he won a BAFTA and a Royal Television Society award – before moving on to Cricket on 5 and commentating alongside Geoffrey Boycott. He has continued to work in TV and radio, and his podcast The Analyst Inside Cricket, is one of the most popular independent sports shows in the UK.

Simon is also an accomplished author, having written several acclaimed cricket books that blend memoir, history and sharp observation. In 1997 he won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year for the autobiographical ‘A Lot of Hard Yakka.’

Guests attending the Norfolk Cricket Society event can look forward to an evening rich in anecdote, insight and reflection. Simon is known as an engaging speaker who combines humour with thoughtful commentary, drawing on years of experience as both a player and observer of the game. From tales of county and international cricket to broader reflections on how the sport has changed — and what has remained timeless — his talk promises to appeal to serious students of cricket and casual fans alike.

Entrance for non-members is £7, cash payable on the door.

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Richard Whitehead – Victory in Australia

On Thursday 27 November 2025 our speaker was Richard Whitehead, whose topic was the Ashes tour of 1954/55. He has just published a book on this tour, entitled Victory in Australia. The Remarkable Story of England’s Greatest Ashes Triumph 1954-55. He was accompanied by David Woodhouse, the author of Who Only Cricket Know: Hutton’s Men in the West Indies 1953/54. They did not present a formal question-and-answer session but rather a conversation, led by Richard with David chipping in at appropriate times. This format worked extremely well.

The subject was presented in a well-structured fashion. Richard began by discussing the issue of the captaincy, describing how the MCC hierarchy were keen to replace Len Hutton, then England’s skipper but a professional, with David Sheppard, an amateur with impeccable credentials. However, their plan failed to come to fruition and Hutton remained in post. Richard then described how the omission of Fred Trueman from the touring squad was greeted with hostility from some sources and pointed out that the largely forgotten Jim McConnon was selected as an off-spinner ahead of Jim Laker.

Richard then dealt with the Tests in order. He pointed out that Hutton made a very poor decision by going into the first Test with no spinner and putting the Australians into bat: the hosts totalled 601 for eight before declaring and won by an innings and 154 runs. He then described how the quick bowling of Frank Tyson (famously) and Brian Statham, and the batting of the young amateurs, Peter May and Colin Cowdrey, enabled the tourists to turn the series around and win by a margin of three Tests to one. Richard justified his choice of subtitle for his book, providing evidence that this was indeed ‘England’s Greatest Ashes Triumph’.

Hutton came in for more criticism for his handling of Alec Bedser. The latter had been England’s finest bowler since the War and was expecting to play in the second Test. He only learned of his omission when he read the team-sheet posted in the dressing room immediately before the match. Richard justifiably described this as a very poor piece of man-management by Hutton, whose somewhat eccentric behaviour during the tour clearly indicated that he felt under considerable pressure.

Tailoring his presentation to his location, Richard discussed the involvement in the tour of Bill Edrich, a ‘bad boy’ whose fighting, if not his drinking, qualities apparently endeared himself to Hutton.

Richard Whitehead and David Woodhouse

Questions were then taken. It is an indication of the interest generated that these were many in number and detailed in nature. Richard answered these questions in a most knowledgeable fashion, and it was apparent that he had researched this tour in a most exhaustive and praiseworthy fashion. David’s book was a multi-award-winner and, if there’s any justice, Richard’s work will be similarly lauded.

All-in-all this was one of the most memorable evenings that the Norfolk Cricket Society has hosted for many a long year.

Words by Stephen Musk

Photos by Pete Golland

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Victory in Australia – an epic Ashes series retold

Norfolk Cricket Society is looking forward to welcoming Richard Whitehead as our guest speaker on Thursday 27th November. Richard will be joining us to discuss his new book ‘Victory in Australia: The Remarkable Story of England’s Greatest Ashes Triumph 1954‑55’  

PLEASE NOTE, THIS EVENT STARTS AT 7PM

Richard Whitehead

‘Victory in Australia’ is the definitive account of the epic 1954-55 Ashes, a series which marked a watershed moment in the history of English cricket. Under the leadership of Len Hutton, one of the finest group of players to represent England won a series in Australia for the first time in more than 20 years.

It is a feat that has been repeated only four times in more than 70 years since. But Hutton’s men had to overcome the additional obstacle of losing heavily in the first Test – only one England team has managed to win an overseas Ashes series after such a monumental setback.

Praise for Victory in Australia

‘A high peak of post-war English cricket brought to vivid life with so much colourful detail. Richard Whitehead has written a masterpiece.’ – Stephen Chalke, cricket writer.

‘Meticulously researchedby Richard Whitehead, this book brings an epic tour from another age to life. It also serves as a reminder of why we are still so consumed by the Ashes. The portrait of Len Hutton, England’s first professional captain, is riveting.’ – Vic Marks, former England bowler.

 ‘It really is the best cricket book I have ever read’ – Douglas Miller, Association of Cricket Statisticians.

We are also looking forward to welcoming David Woodhouse, author of the award-winning book ‘Who Only Cricket Know: Hutton’s Men in the West Indies 1953/54’ who’ll be in conversation with Richard.

David Woodhouse

The evening will include a Q&A session and the opportunity for book signings, enabling you to engage directly with two authors whose work sets the benchmark for cricket-writing.

Entrance for guests is £7, payable on the door.

Copies of Victory in Australia (RRP £22) will be available to purchase at a special offer price for Norfolk Cricket Society members and guests.