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Test Of Time - Travels In Search Of A Cricketing Legend
John Lazenby
Wisteria Books, Birtsmorton ,Malvern, WR13 6AW &pond;15.00
This is an unusual cricket book. It is not exclusively about the game. It is, in a real sense, a travel book, an absorbing account of John Lazenby's search for more information about his grandfather, 'Jack' Mason of Kent and England. Mason, an amateur, was a very fine allrounder for his county: 15563 runs, average 33; 769 wickets at 26 each and 360 catches, many taken at slip where he fielded brilliantly. His captaincy (1898-1902) was admired. His five England appearances were in Australia in 1897/98.

That tour provides the map for much of John Lazenby's quest. We learn about what is important to Australians. For them, the Eureka Stockade (1854) is as significant as The Alamao is for US citizens. The cricketers experienced controversy. Ranhitsinjhi's speeches were uncompromising. He was advised he would be 'greatly improved when he has more time to study and realise the advantages of discretion of speech.'

A sense of history and a feel for place enable John Lazenby to provide a very good read. This book was nominated for the Cricket Society Book Of The Year for 2005 and achieved the notable distinction of being among the five final contenders for the award.