While many cricket fans look at the English county championships and think it is unchanging artifact of the 19th Century, Allen points out that the competition has been in almost constant flux for the past fifty years or so, with a lot of changes that, to a purist like Allen, seem only to weaken the championship.

This is an occasionally interesting book when it looks at the societal role that cricket plays in England (or used to play, as its role continues to apparently diminish) but much of the book is just season recaps, which becomes a bit dull.

How much longer will the County Championship, a four day competition, exist? Not long, according to Allen, and I must agree. ( )