The (world) cup overflows - into print

There is a special thrill to hold a book when you have met the author. More so when you actually know the chap (or chappess).

We are 4 days away from the start of the Cricket World Cup. A month and a half of cricket when the best cricketing countries (ok, make that every cricketing country with a few of their country cousins thrown in too) hurl themselves at each other on the playing field (in a civilised way of course) to hoist the coveted trophy and have the bragging rights of being the best in the world for another 4 years.

The tournament starts on Feb. 19th - Enoch's birthday - and ends with the final in Mumbai on April 2nd - Andi's birthday.

A birthday gift is thus in order to the males in the Eicher family - and what better gift that James Alter's History of World Cup Cricket. Fresh off the press - and hopefully arriving at the Eicher household before the first ball is bowled of the cup!

I have just bought our copy! If you are in India you can do so by clicking here and get a bonus of a 15% off the cover price.

James Alter (known as Jamie till now) has spent most of his post-Woodstock days (and a fair amount of the former as well) living and breathing cricket. I am thrilled that he has gotten his book out before this World Cup. As I write this I find that I also have to admit a slightest tinge of envy. Why? Because I haven't put my act together and cranked out a book or two? Lets put that aside - Congrats Jamie - we are very proud of you (and of the whole extended Alter family of course too)!

I remember a long time ago in Ranchi, Bihar - following the 1983 world cup cricket triumph in by reading the Calcutta edition of the Telegraph newspaper. The news would arrive a goodly day or so after the actual event - but it did not matter. The magical run took place - and then before we could even imagine it happened - the unbelievable - our boys had actually lifted the cup. That iconic photo with the men in debonair suits hoisting that big bit of silverware and Kapil Dev's big black-and-white smile is etched somewhere in the back of my head.

So Enoch and Andi have a birthday present to look forward to. Thanks James!