Derbyshire Cricket – Peakfan’s blog: Book Review: Lester And The Deckchair Revolution

Tony Pigott was a journeyman professional who was good enough (and crucially nearby) to help out England for his one Test match appearance, when he did better than most. He even postponed his wedding (sadly, later doomed to fail) in order to do so.

He gave excellent service to Sussex and latterly to Surrey on the field. The book contains some telling comments on his playing contemporaries and it is in its honesty where it scores over similar books that I have read over many years. 

Perhaps his greatest service to Sussex was when he attempted to get them back on an even keel and did so in a way that saw them become county champions, albeit after his somewhat acrimonious departure. 

His comments on the challenges faced as CEO of the club are refreshingly honest, including an ‘inept’ marketing officer and the groundsman’s wife who ran and pilfered from the club shop.

His has been a far from easy life, with tales of divorce, custody battles for his son and battling through treatment for oesophogeal cancer. He tells of the challenges of injury throughout his cricket career and at times the book is far from an easy read.

Nor is it one of the longer books I have read, but much is packed into its 143 pages, including a useful statistical section. 

I have long held the view that many of the best cricket books are not necessarily about the biggest names.

This one, written with Andy Murtagh, reinforces that assertion and is well worth anyone’s time.

Lester And The Deckchair Revolution: The Life And Times of Tony Pigott is written by Tony Pigott with Andrew Murtagh and published by Fairfield Books