Establishment Boys
Set during Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket revolution, this book tells the story of the Australian Test cricketers plucked from the backwaters of the domestic game to take on full-strength international sides.
Some became cricketing greats. Others were lost in the footnotes of history. But all have important stories to share.
From 1977/78 to the reconciliation, two Australian sides competed in parallel universes: World Series Cricket's glamorous rock star realm and the attritional reality of Test cricket fought by predominantly younger, poorly paid men honouring the baggy green. Friendships were broken, and new bonds formed, as the public first sided with the traditional game before backing World Series Cricket in greater numbers.
Kerry Packer eventually won the cricketing war. However, Test cricket survived because of those who carried the Australian banner for the game. These players became known as the 'Establishment Boys' and until now they have barely been acknowledged.
Barry Nicholls is a former A-grade district cricketer who has written about the sport for three decades. He also broadcasted on ABC Radio for nearly 20 years. Barry has written nine books, including You Only Get One Innings: Family, Mates and the Wisdom of Cricket and For Those Who Wait: The Barry Jarman Story and The Pocket History of the Ashes. He has also contributed to Inside Sport, Wisden Cricketers' Almanac Australia and other publications.