The Toughest Tour: The Ashes Away Series, 1946 to 2007 First Edition
Author(s): Huw Turbervill (Author)
Publisher: Aurum
Publication Date: 25 Oct. 2010
Edition: First Edition
Language: English
Print length: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 1845136063
ISBN-13: 9781845136062
Book Description
The Ashes away series is without doubt the toughest test of an English cricketer’s career. From the ageing team of the first post-war tour, landing at Fremantle after three weeks at sea in a Ministry of War transport carrier, to the ‘whitewash’ of 2006-7, when England fell like rabbits caught in Shane Warne’s headlights, Australian soil has played host to some of English cricket’s most gruelling nadirs – but also some of its most glorious and infamous highs. In this unique oral history, drawn from dozens of original interviews with the surviving tourists, the Telegraph’s Huw Turbervill chronicles sixty years of England down under, recreating the greatest moments of every tour since the end of the Second World War through the words of the players who witnessed them and who made them happen. Whether reliving, with Alec Bedser, England’s dismay at Don Bradman’s shock reprieve on 28 in the first Test at Brisbane in 1946 (he went on to 187); wincing with Frank ‘Typhoon’ Tyson as he describes the moment he was bowled to the ground, unconscious, at the second Test in Sydney in 1954 – only to exact a furious and victorious revenge; or rejoicing with John Emburey and Chris Broad as England confound their critics to prove they really can bat, bowl and field, during the first Test upset of 1986, The Toughest Tour is a constantly entertaining, often heartfelt and sometimes shamelessly partisan account of six decades and sixteen tours of cricket’s most compelling rivalry.
Editorial Reviews
Review
`full of some marvellous anecdotes and tales’ — Steve James, Daily Telegraph, November 2, 2010
“I read the Toughest Tour on the plane out to Perth…required reading for anyone who is coming to Australia … excellent stuff.” — Paul Newman, Cricket Correspondent of the Daily Mail
“England versus Australia is the longest-running rivalry in team sport, and, of course, the best. This book is a fine contribution to our understanding of it.” — Scyld Berry, Sunday Telegraph cricket correspondent / editor of The Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack
Huw Turberville has done an effective, often revealing and entertaining job….it makes for a rewarding read – in England. –The Wisden Cricketer, Januray 2011
…the perfect accompaniment to this year’s upcoming series… a fascinating and enjoyable read for any cricket enthusiast. –The Telegraph, December 2010
‘…a tour de force of research and reminiscence.’ — Yorkshire Post
` The joy of The Toughest Tour is in its rich tapestry of anecdote and nostalgia’ –Yorkshire Post, 3rd Jan 2011
About the Author
Huw Turbervill has been writing on cricket for the Sunday Telegraph since 2000 and the Daily Telegraph since 2007. He has also written for the Wisden Cricketer magazine, the Evening Standard, the Daily Express, the Daily Mail and the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. In his spare time he runs the Carpediems Cricket Club.
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