Story courtesy Joseph Romanos

I have seen literally thousands of cricket books, but never one devoted specifically to the technique of wicketkeeping, which is strange, considering every cricket team must contain a keeper.

Now, one of the great servants of Wellington and New Zealand cricket, Mike Curtis, has written The Art of Wicketkeeping, published by the Willows Cricket Club in Christchurch.

Curtis, a stalwart of the Karori club, kept for Wellington from 1956-59 and went within a whisker of making John Reid’s 1958 New Zealand team to England.

Curtis has been a long-serving Wellington senior and New Zealand age group selector, and a wicketkeeping coach for New Zealand Cricket.

Like the front row in rugby, wicketkeeping is a bit of a mystery to those who haven’t done it regularly, and his specialist advice was always gratefully received.

His book, which has been published through the good graces of the Willows Cricket Club in Christchurch, is an especially attractive effort, full of colour photos – featuring New Zealand Under-17 keeper Tom Latham – and sensible advice.  I can imagine it being in demand throughout the world because of the scarcity of good coaching for wicketkeepers.

   Purchased from: 
   The Willows Club
   PO Box 22-633
   Christchurch
   New Zealand

   Price: 
   $20.00

* Photo courtesy of Ken Baker