The Skipper's Diary

The Skipper''s Diary brings to life again, the New Zealand cricket teams tour of England in 1949. It is not just the rich tapestry of post-war cricket in England, Scotland and Wales, but also the adventure and experiences of a journey that included a match in occupied Germany. It also covers the ocean journey to England and back, And endless Train journeys around the UK with hardly a break between matches. In The Skipper''s Diary, read about Walter''s thoughts on team selection, from the controversy at home over the omission of Otago''s George Mills, to the early tour concerns over the form of Bert Sutcliffe, and the decision to replace the well-performed Brun Smith with youngster John Reid for the third Test at Old Trafford. Enjoy Walter''s accounts of meeting with royalty, the speeches he wrote for various VIP functions, and his post-tour reflections on each of the squad members. A man of detail, Walter also offers a sample of costs and expenditure of the time, and reveals the tour contract - signed by all team members before departure.