Chris England, Balham to Bollywood

Being part of a marriage which is dominated, at least in the Spring/Summer months, by the mood swings of an amateur cricket league husband, I picked up this book in the hope of getting an insight into what actually drives a man to make cricket his mistress, forsaking all other pleasures (apart from the apres-match pint(s)).

This book was a delight. From the outset the observations on the writers' life during the 10+ weeks he was involved in the making of the film Lagaan and more importantly, the cricket had me crying with laughter. Every "take", every event in the hotel, every re-filmed scene and every swing of the bat are described with pith, irony and above all real humour.

I may not know much beyond how many loaves it takes to make a full-on cricket tea - but I know a cunning lead up to a well timed punch line when I read one.

If you liked Clive James semi-autobiographical work, you will love Balham to Bollywood. I was kicked out of bed one evening for laughing too much.

I liked it so much ...... I bought the film!