Swallows and Hawke is a captivating account of 80 years of compelling cricket. From South Africa's stunning first ever Test win by one wicket in 1907 to Syd Barnes and Herby Taylor locked in iconic combat in 1914, to Cliff Gladwin's scrambled last-ball victory in 1949, all the standout moments are here. On the pitch, the cricketers faced extreme heat and dust, unplayable wickets and a wily and resilient opposition. Off the pitch they inspected mining compounds, were terrified by Zulu dancers and found themselves in jail or chased by rhinos. Over 15 tours the emissaries of Empire bestrode the pavilions of power with mine-owners and politicians, from Kruger to Verwoerd. They turned a blind eye to oppression and resistance and colluded with a new national mythology of white supremacy featuring ox-wagons and Blood River. The cricketing dramas take place within the perennial African struggles over land, labour and freedom as the cricketing relationship between MCC and South Africa forges the bonds of Empire.

About the Author

Dr Richard Parry writes on cricket and resistance to colonialism, was joint editor of Cricket and Society in South Africa (2018) and co-author of Too Black to Wear Whites: The Story of Krom Hendricks (2021). Prof. Andre Odendaal is a former first-class cricketer and writer in residence at the University of the Western Cape, and is currently project leader for a new four-volume revisionist history of SA cricket from 1795 to the present.

Reviews

"The book rightfully places itself in the tradition of Mike Marqusee, Ramachandra Guha and Derek Birley. Packed with detail."

* The Cricketer's Best Books of 2023 *

"Did you think there was nothing more to be said about the D'Oliveira affair? Richard Parry and Andre Odendaal would persuade you otherwise. [Their] new account of Anglo-South African cricket promises 'Exciting new evidence of the unfolding of the D'Oliveira saga...' The authors deliver on that promise."

* Journal of the Cricket Society *

"Already I am regretting not giving more space to Swallows and Hawke, in which Richard Parry and Andre Odendaal evaluate 15 English tours to South Africa. That title was yet another triumph for Pitch, one of the proudly independent publishers who serve the game so well."

-- Paul Edwards * The Cricketer *

"This important book is a 'must read' for anyone with an interest in the history of Test Cricket between England and South Africa... One of the strengths of Swallows and Hawke is the ability to look at the social history of the time and the changes that took place. This one is highly recommended."

-- Martin Chandler * Cricket Web *



Book Information
ISBN 9781801501347
Author Richard Parry
Format Hardback
Page Count 448
Imprint Pitch Publishing Ltd
Publisher Pitch Publishing Ltd
Weight(grams) 732g