Happy birthday SPD Smith

Steve Smith is a common name but there is only one SPD Smith. Happy birthday young man!

Haiku Poem by Matt Fiction

Steve Smith birthday boy

Which Steve Smith will celebrate?

It is SPD

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.
  1. Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game
  2. Babette de Leede – World Cup & Global Cricket Journey
  3. Paul Harris – The Journey of a Proteas Spinner
  4. Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage
  5. Ken Piesse – A Life In Cricket Writing
  6. Nikhil Kulkarni | Every Day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy | A Fan’s Journey
  7. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
  8. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams
  9. Anupam Sharma – When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
  10. Elsa Hunter – WBBL Vibes

Sheffield Shield Final – Haiku Poem Challenge

Today marks the start of the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final between QLD and NSW which will cap off the finish to a season like no other.

To help celebrate the occasion our librarians would like to invite you to join the Haiku Poem Challenge where we are asking you to describe the events of the Shield Final in haiku poem form.

Matt Fiction has been penning some magnificent haiku poems throughout the summer and now it is your turn to join in with the fun.

A basic haiku poem has the following structure;

Line 1: 5 syllables

Line 2: 7 syllables

Line 3: 5 syllables

Here is an example of how it works;

Steven Smith can dance (5 syllables)

Moves like you have never seen (7 syllables)

Incredible scenes (5 syllables)

You can join in the fun during the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final by tagging @CricketLibrary on twitter and using the hashtag #HaikuPoemChallenge when posting your haiku poem. We are looking forward to seeing what the Cricket Library community can come up with.

Of course you can listen to the latest episode of the Cricket Library Weekly Podcast where you can hear Matt Fiction reading his haiku poem of the week.

Samson cracks a ton

Haiku Poem by Matt Fiction

Samson cracks a ton

Lighting up the IPL

Not enough to win

Don’t forget to join in the fun during the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final by taking on our challenge to describe the action in the form of a haiku poem. Remember to tag @CricketLibrary on twitter and use the hashtag #HaikuPoemChallenge

Of course you can listen to the latest episode of the Cricket Library Weekly Podcast where you can hear Matt Fiction’s haiku poem of the week.

108 for Jack Edwards

Haiku Poem by Matt Fiction

When it matters most

108 for Jack Edwards

Perfect time for runs

Don’t forget to join in the fun during the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final by taking on our challenge to describe the action in the form of a haiku poem. Remember to tag @CricketLibrary on twitter and use the hashtag #HaikuPoemChallenge

Of course you can listen to the latest episode of the Cricket Library Weekly Podcast where you can hear Matt Fiction’s haiku poem of the week.