Zimmer Men

Ten years after his classic Rain Men - 'cricket's answer to Fever Pitch,' said the Daily Telegraph - Marcus Berkmann returns to the strange and wondrous world of village cricket, where players sledge their team-mates, umpires struggle to count up to six, the bails aren't on straight and the team that fields after a hefty tea invariably loses. This time he's on the trail of the Ageing Cricketer, having suddenly realised that he is one himself and playing in a team with ten others every weekend. In their minds they run around the field as fast as ever; it's only their legs that let them down. ZIMMER MEN asks all the important questions of middle-aged cricketers. Why is that boundary rope suddenly so far away Are you doomed to getting worse as a cricketer, or could you get better How many pairs of trousers will your girth destroy in one summer Chronicling the 2004 season, with its many humiliating defeats and random injuries, this coruscatingly funny new book laughs in the face of middle age, and starts thinking seriously about buying a convertible.

Long-listed for Cricket Society Book of the Year Award 2006 (UK)

“'He has achieved something quite remarkable in this dazzlinglyentertaining volume... by far the funniest book about cricket thatI've ever read.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'It made me laugh until I dribbled' MAIL ON SUNDAY'Berkmann brings a lively and innovative mind to the great game.'SUNDAY TIMES * 'There is an effortless ring to his prose... which makes the act of reading him a real pleasure'WISDEN”

A book about, and for, anyone whose dreams outreach their abilities - GUARDIAN

[a] humorous masterpiece to treasure - INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

Berkmann's observation and wit reveals all that's truly great about cricket and the spirit of the sport. The Game of Life as it should be played. - LADS MAG

Berkmann's acute powers of observation, especially of the ageing male species, are cutting but accurate. And under his penmanship the generalisation is wholly reasonable. - INDEPENDENT

Marcus Berkmann is the author of Rain Men. He writes regularly for the Oldie, Private Eye and the Spectator.

Ten years after his classic Rain Men - 'cricket's answer to Fever Pitch,' said the Daily Telegraph - Marcus Berkmann returns to the strange and wondrous world of village cricket, where players sledge their team-mates, umpires struggle to count up to six, the bails aren't on straight and the team that fields after a hefty tea invariably loses. This time he's on the trail of the Ageing Cricketer, having suddenly realised that he is one himself and playing in a team with ten others every weekend. In their minds they run around the field as fast as ever; it's only their legs that let them down. ZIMMER MEN asks all the important questions of middle-aged cricketers. Why is that boundary rope suddenly so far away Are you doomed to getting worse as a cricketer, or could you get better How many pairs of trousers will your girth destroy in one summer Chronicling the 2004 season, with its many humiliating defeats and random injuries, this coruscatingly funny new book laughs in the face of middle age, and starts thinking seriously about buying a convertible.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.