Great Cricketers I Watched in Wartime presents nostalgia and social history from 1944 to 1948, at a time in England when all cricketers were either amateurs or professionals.

For cricket watchers there were three touring teams. First was India in 1946, a year before gaining independence from 300 years of British rule; then South Africa in 1947, a year before the policy of apartheid became law; and finally Australia came in 1948, to give England a thrashing on the cricket field.

Cricket nuts will be absorbed, keeping Wisden always handy. Those sad souls who don't like the game may be intrigued by the narrative and the personalities.