Forty years ago (give or take) I was given ‘The Character of Cricket’ by delightful neighbours. It has sat on various shelves over these past four decades – occasionally picked up, often Paul Cox’s illustrations were mulled over, but the artistry of Tim Heald’s words gathered patience and galvanised there on those shelves.

Like some of the very best things in life, it quietly just got better with age. Finally, I have got round to reading it. In the summer of 1985 Tim Heald toured England and Wales visiting County Grounds and many other pitches.

I enjoyed reading about St.Helen’s, Swansea, and was inspired to look at a bird’s eye view of the key hole shaped ground (Rugger in the Winter, Cricket in the Summer) on the internet, what can possibly be finer than a cricket pitch by the sea? No wonder Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers of the Caribbean felt in the groove and plonked his six sixes over the boundary ropes there.

There are some sweet anecdotes of Prep School, Public school and Oxford University (The Parks) cricket. It is a land of Morgans, English country gardens, Stately Homes, Boaters and Debutantes. Although to set things on an even keel, the late Tim Heald does (presumably for the sake of journalism rather than a longing to luxuriate in) visit Indoor Quick cricket in less salubrious environs.   

I have savoured every page of this book all these years down the track. And speaking of tracks, the penultimate chapter, Trantridge Hardy and the chapter’s closing sentence are a true mark of the man. Vintage.