Sundial in the Shade: The Story of Barry Richards: the Genius Lost to Test Cricket Hardcover – Illustrated, 1 Mar. 2015

Purchased for a friend who loves it

I remember as a 12 year old seeing Richards play for Hampshire against Sussex in 1978. It was Tony Greig's first game back after his Packer ban. At the end of the first day (possibly of the most one-sided in championship history?) Hampshire had reached 300 for 2 (Greenidge 220 not out) after bowling Sussex out for 77. Richards had made 60 and was out caught driving to mid off. Whilst the Greenidge innings was full of aggressive intent and was remorseless, Richards' innings made more of an impression on me; supremely elegant, unhurried and effortless. Much of what has been written about Richards since then talks about his unfulfilled potential (being one of the most talented players to play the game) and his boredom with the lack of challenge. I felt that the 'circumstances' when he played ( South Africa' s test exile, the remorseless grind of 6 days a week of cricket and the lack of opportunity to make money from the game, mitigated against him and did not allow him to forge the reputation on a wider scale that he deserved.This was a fascinating read from a talented author.

This book is an enjoyable read about a cricket legend. As a piece of work about genius the author gives the reader some real insights about the personality behind the player....his 'forensic powers of observation' of his opponents (and people generally) as well as his playing technique. As a commentator he was as thoughtful as say, Mike Atherton, FEC when at Cambridge.His test exclusion was a mighty bonus to those who saw him playing in English county cricket, particularly those of us in Hampshire. Andy Murtagh righty mentions his very cautious innings against Northamptonshire (Bishan Bedi in particular) which was critical to one of the two trophies he won with the club. He also made a he made a century against a strong Leicestershire team that was critical to the other that stands out even now: he was,in effect, playing an early version of 2020 cricket by himself that day, decades before the format was introduced.The book is longer than the page count suggests, a five day read rather than three. Overall the author deserves a vote of thanks for sustaining a good line and length, giving a fair appreciation of the man and the wider context in which the game was played.

Great Tribute to A Batting Great "Test Crickets lost genius"How good Was Barry Richards"? In Footballing terms think Pele/maradona/ Cruyff then think what it might have been like if they had they had been banned from playing international football for no fault of their own' other than being born in a certain country.(In Richards case Apartheid ridden South Africa )This is a heartfelt story told by fellow cricketer and teammate Andrew Murtagh who at close quaters with Hampshire witnessed Richards Batting Genius and Ultimate frustration in which a glittering international Career was hijacked after just 4 test matches due to the subsequent international boycott of South Africa.The book also deals with his life after cricket i which Richards battles to come to terms with professional and personal matters.Highly recommended and a fitting tribute to a man who was regarded my by many experts andplayers alike as simply one of the greatest batsman to have ever played the game

It takes a while to get going and the author style off writing different,but all in all a good tribute to a great player

Very good information from an author whom- as both a cricketer and a sometime teammate- really does know his subject. There is much in here that was new to me about Barry Richards career and the author is both persuasive and interesting on this.On the downside, the real time chat element of the interviews the author conducted with Richards are often, frankly, tedious and would have been much better if they had been editorialised. And I don't think I came out of it with any clearer view of Richards as a man. Difficulties were skirted over- how much did he really do in terms of anti-apartheid work, go really end badly at Hampshire - and the truly tragic element, his son's suicide, would have been better left rather then the question-begging and cursory treatment it is afforded.That said, his delight and understanding of the batting of one of the all time greats means this is well worth a read and the access to the subject to get his views on his great innings was probably why the author pulled his punches on more personal issues.

Great book on a fascinating figure. Only reason it doesn't get five stars is the authors annoying interruptions in every interview he conducts whether it be Richard, Chappell or whoever, often making it hard to follow who he is talking about as multiple names are often mentioned just beforehand so you have to keep going back to make sense of it & his ludicrous hero worship of the guy to where he elevates him to deity status constantly-you can imagine him on the floor worshiping BR & licking his boots as you are reading this book.

Solid book, well written. Seemed to discuss issues in reasonable depth and describes Richards many achievements. Think I come away liking Richards less than before (more aware of his role in Packer years, which has ultimately resulted in me being unable to watch the game I love due to the cost, and his disregard for the efforts of amateurs and lesser mortals not granted his talents) but that is a credit to the book in giving a picture of the man. Not the best biography ever but a good one.