Playing to Win, 9781923042841
Paperback
Worst team ever? Aussies swaggered, played to win, and changed cricket.
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Playing to Win

australia and the 1972 ashes

$40.09

  • Paperback

    216 pages

  • Release Date

    28 July 2025

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Summary

Title: Ashes Ignition: How a “Worst Ever” Team Redefined Cricket

In the early 1970s, cricket teetered. Apartheid South Africa was exiled, and the 1970⁄71 Ashes series in Australia offered little excitement, a dull battle of endurance. Test nations favored cautious, often boring cricket.

Then, in April 1972, a young Australian team, dismissed as the “worst ever” by the English press, arrived in England brimming with confidence. Their new captain, Ian Chappell, declared their …

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781923042841
ISBN-10:192304284X
Author:Barry Nicholls
Publisher:Wakefield Press
Imprint:Wakefield Press
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:216
Release Date:28 July 2025
Weight:364g
Dimensions:20mm x 255mm x 156mm
What They're Saying

Critics Review

‘I’m delighted Barry Nicholls has seen fit to recognise the importance of the tour with this comprehensive book. I thank him on behalf of the players.’ - Ian Chappell

‘The 1972 Australian cricket tour of England was in many ways unique for the influence it had on Australia’s cricket future. Barry Nicholl’s description is vividly entertaining, historically accurate and perceptive in its analysis.’ - Ross Edwards

‘This experience [the Ashes tour of England] taught me more about life than I realised until many years later. A great five months!’ - David Colley

‘The 1972 Australian cricket tour of England was in many ways unique for the influence it had on Australia’s cricket future. Barry Nicholls’ description is vividly entertaining, historically accurate and perceptive in its analysis.’

- Ross Edwards

About The Author

Barry Nicholls

Barry Nicholls is a former A-grade district cricketer who has written about sports for 30 years. For five years Barry presented a digital show for ABC Grandstand about sports books, 110 Percent, that was regularly heard across the country. A keen writer about sports Barry has written six books, including the best-selling You Only Get One Innings: Family, mates and the wisdom of cricket (ABC Books/Harper Collins). He has also written for publications including Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac, Inside Edge, Baggy Green, Cricket Lore and The Allrounder.

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