I spent five days during December in Lesotho on horseback, which also meant that, for the first time, I missed following the Boxing Day cricket test match . Except, I did not miss my cricket fix. I had purchased Robin Jackman’s biography – Jackers, a life in cricket – just before entering Lesotho and spent the five days reading about the life and career of one of cricket’s most beloved and talented commentators. The book is written by Colin Brydon, but it is easy to hear Jackman’s voice in the text. It’s filled with honest anecdotes about his time in England, on tour with the English cricket team, but especially interesting his time at Western Province, Zimbabwe and now on tour as commentator. For my generation, Jackman’s emphasis on player experience (he made his own debut for England at 35) may sound old-fashioned, but it is a message that the success of Vernon Philander has recently echoed. While his earlier chapters may sound nostalgic, the late night endeavours throughout his career, though, colourfully portrayed in the later chapters, is sure to add to his fun and rebel-like image. It’s his knowledge of the game, and especially of the people in the game, that makes this book worth reading. Especially when you’re missing his voice because, like me, you’re on horseback in Lesotho or, which is similar, watching cricket on SABC.
