As a special Valentine’s Day treat we are giving you a sneak peak at ‘Kisses to the Crowd’ taken from Chapter 4 of For The Love Of Cricket – Haiku Poems Inspired By The Summer Game
If you like what you hear, you will enjoy reading the rest of the book which is available on Amazon Kindle.
There is no better way to demonstrate your love for that special someone this Valentine’s Day than a digital copy of the hottest new book going around.
Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game – The Cricket Library
Former West Indies opening batter, Adrian Griffith joins the Cricket Library Podcast for a fascinating and deeply reflective conversation about cricket, identity, purpose, and life beyond the game.
Growing up in Barbados, Adrian rose through Caribbean cricket to become an opening batter for the West Indies cricket team during one of the most compelling eras in world cricket. He shares stories from his early journey into first-class cricket, touring Australia, facing elite fast bowling, and the pressures that come with representing the maroon cap at the highest level.
One of the highlights of the episode is Adrian reflecting on his remarkable Test match against New Zealand, where he became the first West Indian cricketer to bat on all five days of a Test match — a rare and unique achievement in cricket history.
Adrian also revisits the unforgettable Test against Australia where Brian Lara produced one of the greatest innings the game has ever seen, offering incredible insight into Lara’s brilliance and the atmosphere surrounding that iconic moment in cricket and the story behind his selection in the team.
Beyond the playing field, Adrian discusses his transition into officiating as an ICC match referee and his current work with AGC, where he continues contributing to leadership, mentoring, and the development of people within and beyond cricket.
While the conversation celebrates Test cricket, West Indies history, and unforgettable moments, it also explores a deeper theme — that achievements on the field do not fully define a person’s worth. Adrian shares thoughtful reflections on transition, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond cricket.
Topics include:
• The significance of the Maroon West Indies Cricket Cap
• Touring Australia
• Batting on all five days of a Test match
• Test cricket pressures
• Caribbean cricket culture
• ICC match refereeing • Leadership and mentoring
• AGC and life after cricket
• Purpose and identity beyond sport If you love cricket history, long-form conversations, and powerful human stories from inside the game, this episode is for you.