Cricket is popularly known as the "Gentelmen's Game". Over the period of time, many gentelmen of the game have wrote about their life inside and outside the cricketing field. But few stormed the world with controversies.
Let us take a look at top 7 autobiographies that began as a personal account of a cricketer's life but ended up as manuscript of controversy :
1) Kevin Petersen
The latest book to hit the cricketing headlines - "KP : The Autobiography". Kevin Pitersen's autobiography exposed the dark side of the England cricket.
England' most prolific, equally controversial and egostic batsman spared none - right from coach Andy Flower to his teammates. From the apparent culture of bulling in the dressing room to Jonathan Trott's depression, Flower's coaching regime to Matt Prior's backstabbing tactics. His citing a number of Australian and Indian oppents who could endrose his opinions, and the continous media interviews preceding the release of the book intensified the hype and ensured a grand opening.
2) Adam Gilchrist
Best wicketkeeper batsman in the cricket history Adam Gilchrist authored "True colors" in 2008. An excellent book and one that is largely not controversial.
However the famous monkey-gate scandal generates a fair deal of controversy. Gilchrist rekindled the controversy in his 2008 book questioning Tendulkar's honesty during the tribunal concerning that affair. He also banged on the officials from both countries,condemning the BCCI of "playing politics" and Cricket Australia and the ICC of "caving in" when the Harbhajan Singh's orignal deferment was annihilated. This aussie cricketer later apologised to Tendulkar under intense media pressure.
3) Shoaib Akhtar
The Rawalpindi express from Pakistan was again on news despite retiring from international cricket for his autobiography "Controversially Yours".
Commenting on Sachin Tendulkar, he had mentioned "I bowled a particularly fast ball which he, to my amazement didn't even touch. He walked away!". That drew some attention in cricketing world & strong reaction across India. He also raised few eyebrows with his comments on Wasim Akram & Javed Miandad & his candid confessions about ball tempering were indeed too casual for comfort.
[ see also : ICC TEST & ODI TEAM OF THE YEAR 2014 ]
4) Herschelle Gibbs
Most gifted yet most indisciplined South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs penned his book "To the point". In the age of modern media, this was probably one of the most controversial autobiographies released.
His book talks about drink, drugs sexual orgies & match fixing during his year with the South Africa team. After reading his book some people still love him and are happy that he has uncovered the dark side of cricket while other's have lost total respect & absolute disgusted. It was reported to have sold in just 2 days.
5) Ian Botham
Botham continued his relationship with controversy with the publication of his book "Head On". Not unexpectedly Ian Botham's autobiography was explosive.
His book is admittance to drug misuse and playing entirely different sort of cricket in the field. Accusing the Pakistan team of ball tampering and ofcourse his admittance that he smoked marijuana also ensured that the book would be a best seller.
6) Sunil Gavaskar
World-class opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar penned his autobiography "Sunny Days".
India's greatest batsman in his time, had been a controversial cricketer on and off the field. Although "Sunny Days" was mostly benign and no notorious accounts that could trouble critics, it was labelled as pretty courageous for its time because of Gavaskar's straightforward attitude and opinionated remarks. He ensured that his autobiography would fly off the shelves.
7) Jim Laker
The great off-spinner from England who is better known for his record 19/90 at Old Traffard during his golden summer of 1956 had authored his autobiography "Over To Me" released in 1960 beget.
He certainly had a better time in the game (193 wickets in 46 Tests) than the book suggested. The book launched into Indian cricket & India in general, revealing a bitter & sensationalist side to Laker's character. The book also got him in trouble with MCC and Surrey. The tone of the book was distinctly sharp & it also convey a grave story of Laker never really enjoying his time in the game.
Nonetheless, the book sold well.
Subscribe us or Bookmark our blog for more such interesting post..cheers!!!!
Let us take a look at top 7 autobiographies that began as a personal account of a cricketer's life but ended up as manuscript of controversy :
1) Kevin Petersen
The latest book to hit the cricketing headlines - "KP : The Autobiography". Kevin Pitersen's autobiography exposed the dark side of the England cricket.
England' most prolific, equally controversial and egostic batsman spared none - right from coach Andy Flower to his teammates. From the apparent culture of bulling in the dressing room to Jonathan Trott's depression, Flower's coaching regime to Matt Prior's backstabbing tactics. His citing a number of Australian and Indian oppents who could endrose his opinions, and the continous media interviews preceding the release of the book intensified the hype and ensured a grand opening.
2) Adam Gilchrist
Best wicketkeeper batsman in the cricket history Adam Gilchrist authored "True colors" in 2008. An excellent book and one that is largely not controversial.
However the famous monkey-gate scandal generates a fair deal of controversy. Gilchrist rekindled the controversy in his 2008 book questioning Tendulkar's honesty during the tribunal concerning that affair. He also banged on the officials from both countries,condemning the BCCI of "playing politics" and Cricket Australia and the ICC of "caving in" when the Harbhajan Singh's orignal deferment was annihilated. This aussie cricketer later apologised to Tendulkar under intense media pressure.
3) Shoaib Akhtar
The Rawalpindi express from Pakistan was again on news despite retiring from international cricket for his autobiography "Controversially Yours".
Commenting on Sachin Tendulkar, he had mentioned "I bowled a particularly fast ball which he, to my amazement didn't even touch. He walked away!". That drew some attention in cricketing world & strong reaction across India. He also raised few eyebrows with his comments on Wasim Akram & Javed Miandad & his candid confessions about ball tempering were indeed too casual for comfort.
[ see also : ICC TEST & ODI TEAM OF THE YEAR 2014 ]
4) Herschelle Gibbs
Most gifted yet most indisciplined South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs penned his book "To the point". In the age of modern media, this was probably one of the most controversial autobiographies released.
His book talks about drink, drugs sexual orgies & match fixing during his year with the South Africa team. After reading his book some people still love him and are happy that he has uncovered the dark side of cricket while other's have lost total respect & absolute disgusted. It was reported to have sold in just 2 days.
5) Ian Botham
Botham continued his relationship with controversy with the publication of his book "Head On". Not unexpectedly Ian Botham's autobiography was explosive.
His book is admittance to drug misuse and playing entirely different sort of cricket in the field. Accusing the Pakistan team of ball tampering and ofcourse his admittance that he smoked marijuana also ensured that the book would be a best seller.
6) Sunil Gavaskar
World-class opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar penned his autobiography "Sunny Days".
India's greatest batsman in his time, had been a controversial cricketer on and off the field. Although "Sunny Days" was mostly benign and no notorious accounts that could trouble critics, it was labelled as pretty courageous for its time because of Gavaskar's straightforward attitude and opinionated remarks. He ensured that his autobiography would fly off the shelves.
7) Jim Laker
The great off-spinner from England who is better known for his record 19/90 at Old Traffard during his golden summer of 1956 had authored his autobiography "Over To Me" released in 1960 beget.
He certainly had a better time in the game (193 wickets in 46 Tests) than the book suggested. The book launched into Indian cricket & India in general, revealing a bitter & sensationalist side to Laker's character. The book also got him in trouble with MCC and Surrey. The tone of the book was distinctly sharp & it also convey a grave story of Laker never really enjoying his time in the game.
Nonetheless, the book sold well.
Subscribe us or Bookmark our blog for more such interesting post..cheers!!!!
