When the superstars played with the amateurs: interview with author Scott Oliver

Is there any other sport that allows recreational players to rub shoulders with superstars? Scott Oliver has traced down these delightful stories in a new book called Sticky Dogs and Stardust and we speak to Scott to understand his passion for this type of story and how these experiences can reveal so much about a cricketer and their love for the game. 

Among the several superstars to have played in club cricket in England, the book tells the stories of all-time greats such as Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Viv Richards, Garry Sobers, Wasim Akram, and Shane Warne - and also reveals what these cricketers' presence meant for their amateur team-mates. 

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Sticky Dogs and Stardust by Scott Oliver is available to buy in hardback and ebook formats. You can get 10% off the standard price at ⁠thenightwatchman.net⁠ with coupon code 81ALLOUT. Hardback (£15.30 + shipping when you use 81ALLOUT): ⁠https://www.thenightwatchman.net/buy/sticky-dogs-and-stardust⁠ Ebook (£4.49 when you use 81ALLOUT): ⁠https://www.thenightwatchman.net/buy/sticky-dogs-and-stardust-ebook⁠ 

Talking Points:

• The allure of the big star playing the small game
• The thrill of seeing a youngster with the potential for greatness
• Seventeen-year old Adam Gilchrist finding himself in England
• The remarkable story of Viv Richards in his pomp at Rishton CC
• The sight of great fast bowlers like Marshall and Donald terrorizing amateurs
• The cult of Garry Sobers at Norton CC
• The cricketers who disappointed their clubs 
• The passing of an era - and how cricket's current economy doesn't allow for superstars to be part of an amateur setting 

Participants:

Scott Oliver (@reverse_sweeper)

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

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Books republished by 81allout:

• War Minus the Shooting - Mike Marqusee
• Cricket Beyond the Bazaar - Mike Coward
• The Summer Game - Gideon Haigh

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Related:

• Sticky Dogs and Stardust review - Martin Chandler - Cricketweb.net
• List of Scott Oliver's articles