TFW Book Club – Tim Wigmore: Test Cricket, A History

Over the years, Tim Wigmore has penned several superb books, and this might be his best yet. Joining Daniel Norcross at lunch during a recent Surrey game, he sat down to discuss the book he wrote because it is the one he would like to read – always a good place to start. From Test cricket’s conception, he maps the lot: scarcity and status, empire to expansion, racism and rivalries, existential angst to equipment. It’s underpinned by extensive interviews with some of the greatest to have ever done it, exploring the intrigue of a form of the game that we hold so dear yet would not emerge if it were invented today. Well done, Wiggo. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thefinalword⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Test Cricket, A History here. Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠⁠⁠⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Wisden and never pay full price for the Almanack again: ⁠⁠www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe⁠⁠ Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠⁠⁠⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: ⁠⁠⁠⁠odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word⁠⁠⁠⁠ Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: ⁠⁠⁠⁠mauriceblackburn.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠⁠ Claim £100 cash back (on a £5k deposit) at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find previous episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Title track by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices