Smith, Ed – On And Off The Field
****1/2
Whilst serving as an overseas player for Kent, Australian captain Steve Waugh suggested to cricketer and author Ed Smith that he should keep a diary of a County Cricket season for his second book.  A few meetings with publishers and agents later here it is – a diary of the remarkable 2003 season for the Kent batsman, the drama of which he couldn’t have foreseen.
After early struggles, Smith hit a rich vein of form culminating in four successive first class centuries and a call up to the England Test side against South Africa.  Three slightly underperforming Tests later, he is unluckily omitted from the touring party for the winter.  An amazing roller-coaster season for the player giving added drama to a superb award-winning book.
With his regular sporting and arts columns in the Daily Telegraph, the then 26-year-old Smith is no ordinary sportsman and this is no ordinary sporting book.  Ed is unflinchingly honest and self-examining as he tries to improve his game as well as providing fascinating insights into the life of both a modern County and Test Cricketer.  It’s not all introspective though and I found myself almost wanting to tap into his lifestyle – probably partly because like me, he is something of a part-time writer with another main job.
On And Off The Field is an excellently written, thought-provoking book – essential for intelligent cricket fans and anyone who wants to know what makes an inward-looking sportsman tick,
Published:  2004
Read by me:  6.7.06-19.7.06