He shares, without self-pity, his fears of Alzheimer’s disease, and his account of surviving treatment for a lymphoma diagnosed just in time for chemotherapy to save him. And, if you're an individual from the subcontinent, the ability to deal with the pressure of huge fan following and public scrutiny is a 'must add' to your curriculum vitae in terms of skill honed as a player running for the position of captaincy in a team. Perhaps some chapters or details could be added about more modern captaincy, particularly with rule changes and the arrival of T20. Having said that, he also enjoyed a fair amount of success captaining England's cricket team and leading them to various memorable victories over their Ashes rivals, the Aussies. Brearley's anecdotes, historical connections all bring in a clear stately aura which we now miss in the T20 era.

The Financial Times and its journalism are subject to a self-regulation regime under the FT Editorial Code of Practice. It requires immense willpower, because our instincts are unruly, capricious, and easily distracted by passing stimuli.

After more than 360 pages in this mode, I slightly wanted to worry the author in the Proto-Germanic sense. It is as though Montaigne captained his country’s cricket team during breaks while writing his Essays. His insight into the game is pertinent to every form and to every team, and his examples are enlightening. There are stories from his careers in cricket and therapy, and anecdotes from sportspeople, businesspeople, politicians and psychiatrists.

He is both reclining on the psychoanalyst’s couch, talking about his dreams, as well as sitting behind it interpreting them. The familiarity with the equations of captaincy on display was there to be sensed, appreciated, and cherished. While batting against Michael Holding the great West Indies fast bowler, he relaxed by humming the opening bars of Beethoven’s Razumovsky Quartet, Op. He freely invokes leaders, literary figures, poets and pop stars – it shows what a rounded individual he is.In a series against Australia in 2001, England lost the first two Tests but were in a strong position in the third, having built a lead of 120 with six wickets in hand. There is always something tugging at the brain, seducing it with the prospect of a pleasurable digression from the plan. Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.