Better Than He Knew

The Graham Barlow Story

James Hawkins

• Publisher: Pitch Publishing
• eBook ISBN:
  9781801502795
• Year: 2022

Better Than He Knew: The Graham Barlow Story recalls the cricketing life of Graham Barlow, a talented all-round sportsman and largely unsung member of the Middlesex team that dominated domestic cricket from 1976 to 1985. Emerging from schoolboy cricket, seven years passed before he established himself in 1976. Cast aside after a 300-day international career, his focus on fitness and fielding often overshadowed his pugnacious batting. After a disastrous 1982, promotion to the top of the order to open with Wilf Slack provided the stability that he longed for and triggered the most successful period of his career until injury forced retirement. A global coaching career followed with success in New Zealand as head coach of Central Districts. Better Than He Knew is a deeply personally tribute that includes Graham's memoirs and synchronistic thoughts about the ups and downs of his life and career. There's also insight from former team-mates, whose stories celebrate this likeable cricketer and a golden era of county cricket.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Dedication
• Introduction
• 1. Highs and lows
• 2. Not bad at this
• 3. Brentham and beyond
• 4. Travelling with Fred
• 5. Camaraderie and quirks
• 6. Loughborough days
• 7. Drill sergeant return
• 8. Good weather, good wickets
• 9. 4.25
• 10. A truly unforgettable experience
• 11. Rushing in, diving about
• 12. The only way is up
• 13. A glimpse of things to come
• 14. Keeping the faith
• 15. Going silly and then goodbye
• 16. Panache and solidity
• 17. Testing times
• 18. Meeting Rose brings a change of focus
• 19. Hard work pays off after a cold start
• 20. A final Championship
• 21. Thank you, Bob
• 22. That infectious laugh
• Statistical overview 1969–1986
• Acknowledgements
• Bibliography
• Photos