The Grade Cricketer

We’re all familiar with the story of Grumpy Cat, the Arizona feline that shot to prominence as an internet meme in 2012, then – thanks to some canny management – diversified into books, a movie and iced beverages. Now, following a similar path, we have the Grade Cricketer, which began as a cult Twitter account and has now coalesced into a novel, in time for the 2015-16 cricket season.Where Grumpy Cat offered mainly visual humour, though, The Grade Cricketer book is rich with pointed, often-hilarious observations about amateur cricket culture and its discontents. Like any good novel, it comes with its own vernacular: the words ‘chop’, ‘champed’, ‘pipes’ and ‘rig’ dot the pages like freckles on an Australian forearm. Using this artillery of slang and some astute character sketches, the three authors track our narrator’s adventures as he revels in – and occasionally resists – the claustrophobic world of grade-level cricket.These features of the book elevate The Grade Cricketer from the two dimensions and 140 characters of a Twitter feed to a fully-realised character, one that all amateur sports people and their long-suffering significant others will relate to. Amongst the insights, there are enough gags to have you chuckling away the next rain delay, and some descriptive prose that brings the sleepy game of cricket to life.If the Grumpy Cat empire is any guide, more items in the Grade Cricketer franchise can’t be far off: perhaps another book, then a movie, then a Gray-Nicolls tie-in. But while we wait for all that, let’s just enjoy this well-paced, nicely-realised debut of a novel.

Like all comedy, there is a tragedy playing out here. It's just funny because it's happening to omeone else. The Grade Cricketer might look at the life of a weekend warrior but it offers insights into life as a weekend worrier - a young man as unsure about his place in the world as he is about his spot in the team. As such it makes for uncomfortable reading at times and can leave you feeling a little sad for all involved, including yourself. It's kind of like the Muriel's Wedding of amatuer sport, illuminating the unquiet desperation of life in the suburbs. The laughs are awkward and unsettling because they are a little too close to home. In that way it reminded me, in parts, of another fictional memoir. The Durian Effect, by Richard Tong. You haven't lived it but the authors makes you feel like you lived through it. You can relate to it perhaps a little too well even though you're not like that, are you? Well played, lads. Well played.

From the Twitter account. Brilliant, especially if you have any experience with cricket.If you enjoy this book, then I would recommend you try  The Vincibles: A Suburban Cricket Season . The brilliant writer Gideon Haigh writes about his own suburban cricket club. There may well be a vein of truth in it ;-)

For those of us who have played cricket at suburban levels in Australia, there is much to identify with in this book.The authors capture the culture of cricket clubs from nicknames to stories to boozing to its alpha male centre.It contains an underlying story of the narrator's career and development.For those who enjoy what happens at suburban cricket clubs might get a laugh out of this.It's very blokey..

Well written by obvious cricketing tragics. Would have been more funny but it cuts so close to the bone. A quiet read and a delightful accompaniment to the Twitter account

A great yarn with some really funny episodes

Funny, clever and realistic

"It's OK" is the perfect summary - the smart and funny patches are stretched a little thinly to make it good.

An intriguing tale that hit a chord on the basis of challenging my own relationship with my father and sport. Stupendously funny throughout and a real insight in to the Australian male bravado of dressing room culture. Whether it be hitting a circuit looking for some chop or just recounting the endless hours of pipe pursuits, this book resonates on so many levels. I'd suggest you don't even need to be a fan of cricket, or any sport for that manner, to enjoy it as it is a window in to a world that is truly hilarious and just down right charmingly idiotic when taking an arms length view of it. Can't wait to hear about how the Nugler is getting on in a sequel!

this book is so funny, if you've ever played cricket at any level you've met all the characters in this book. it's mainly set in Australian grade cricket, but could be anywhere.

Absolutely cracking book of what it feels like to be a village cricketer all round the world. Would recommend to any amateur cricketer as there will be a hell of a lot of moments in the book when you can relate!

Well written , very funny , great read

Very funny book and so true. A must read for any cricketers and especially "grade cricketers". Couldn't put it down.