The Playing Mantis

by Coney Jeremy

From the master's apprentice in the early 1970's when he first joined the New Zealand team to the master of 1986 when he captained the first New Zealand side to win a test series in England. Coney writes his autobiography the way he plays cricket - with feeling, humour and a keen understanding of fine timing.

Coney relates the incidents and the anecdotes that signposted his way to the top of cricket ... from the days when he could not command a regular place in the New Zealand side until the ultimate honour for a New Zealand crickerter, captain on a tour of England.

He reports from out in the middle, giving a captain's view of proceedings, takes readers into the players' dressing rooms and relates the incidents - both memorable and bizarre - from more than a decade of touring.

Genres: Biography

279 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Jonathan Corfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a time when Jeremy Coney was our most successful test cricket captain.
Definitely a book for the cricket tragic (enthusiasts we call ourselves), this offers a wonderful counter to the more dour tome recounting Richard Hadlee's memories of the same halcyon era. Indeed, Hadlee and Coney were often at loggerheads but I know who I would rather sit down and have a beer with.
What are you having, Jerry?

[Rob Markley · Rating 3 out of 5]

What we really want is the telling back story and behind the scenes revelations and this is lacking this sort of thing. Nevertheless a worthwhile insight into a man who developed from an average to a world class cricketer and then a top flight commentator