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On Fenner`s Sward: A History of Cambridge University Cricket Club
Giles Phillips
Tempus Publishing Limited
Giles Phillips' book on Cambridge is more lavishly illustrated by a selection of photographs, sketches and maps. It differs from the Oxford volume in that it is not a short history, and instead has been published to mark the 250th anniversary of the first recorded game that the University played, against the Gentleman of Eton. Therefore, there is plenty of detailed analysis of the leading figures and events who have graced Fenner's Sward, and Giles Phillips is to be applauded for the depth of his research, especially into the early days of the club, and the relationship between town and gown.

Ted Dexter has penned a brief, but fluent foreword, whilst towards the end there is a brief statistical section, which covering just a page and a half is the weakest feature of the book. A full list of people to have played for the University (not just Blues) would have been useful, supported perhaps a few records for the Fenner`s Ground, or even a few match reports of great games at the ground.

However, the book`s strength is that the Light Blues can boast nearly 80 Test cricketers and over 20 English captains, so there are some rich tales to be told, and the well written text, interspersed with short and relevant quotes, takes the reader through a cavalcade of some of the great names in world cricket. Indeed, in his introduction the author has chosen his 'best ever' Cambridge XI, in which some of the all-time greats such as Ranji and Gilbert Jessop have been omitted. But, he is quick to point out that his selection was based on the premise of their impact and achievement whilst at Cambridge, and after digesting this book and mulling over his selection criteria, one cannot really quibble with the author's chosen XI.