MOST Prime Minister s on leaving office indulge themselves in writing about their Downing Street years. But not John Major. He may have led a Conservative government, but his passion has always been cricket. Indeed, when he left behind the affairs of stat

MOST Prime Minister's on leaving office indulge themselves in writing about their Downing Street years.

But not John Major. He may have led a Conservative government, but his passion has always been cricket. Indeed, when he left behind the affairs of state at Downing Street he went straight to The Oval.

Here he takes a look of cricket from its earliest days to the outbreak of the First World War.

It is a crafted piece of work - rather like a Geoffrey Boycott innings - rather than a cavalier approach of the Kevin Pietersen kind.

A worthwhile introduction to a game that is still essential a piece of English tradition.