My eyes lit up when I saw this book's title. Having been a cricket tragic for over 45 years, it seemed the ideal book for someone like me. Indeed it is too.

Australians Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins have combined to produce this enjoyable book about people and events that many people may not have heard of. Some of the events will pre-date many readers too. I felt somewhat relieved when I found that I had heard of a good number of the people mentioned in the book, less so when I realised that I was quite often unaware of some of the events. It is likely, therefore, that even a tragic can learn a lot from Geoff and Adam's book.

Readers will notice a numerical clue on every chapter. I can only say that I was glad that I had diligently read the introduction. As an idea, Geoff and Adam had also combined with a podcast called The Final Word during which listeners would be encouraged to give a monetary donation. Some odd figures came in to swell the coffers which they soon realised related to a cricketing event. I am not sure whether they received a donation of A$99.94 (Sir Donald Bradman's Test average - not really that I need to clarify) but maybe this gives an indication of how the book works.

Easily written and straight to the point, Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics should amuse and inform readers. The book features many Australian topics: indeed, I thought that it was all going to be predominantly on Australia which might have been a further clue to the authors' identities but the book does cover many other subjects from England to India and Pakistan and even Papua New Guinea.

If you wish to read about the riot at the 1879 Sydney Test; the lives and cricket careers of a lot of comparatively unknown players; one 19th Century cricketer's bibulous habits; Bradman's honeymoon and very much more, I would recommend contacting Fairfield Books and ordering a copy of this book (clue: 9.99). Other highlights include the origins of the Duckworth-Lewis collaboration and some well-known and lesser-known women cricketers.

A word on Fairfield Books too: I notice how beautifully presented and excellent quality their books are and Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics is very much in this category. The numerical clue in the paragraph above suggests to me that the book is excellent value for a fascinating read.