Fiction Files – Boxing Day Test Review

Matt Fiction is back with another instalment of the Fiction Files as he de briefs the 3rd Ashes Test between Australia and England from the MCG.

Matt Fiction’s next assignment will be captaining the Burrabadine XI in the opening clash of the Riding Mill dice cricket virtual tour of Australia on Thursday morning Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Congratulations NZ

NZ have defied the weather and produced a complete performance to defeat India to become the inaugural ICC World Test Champions.

Our resident cricket librarian Matt Fiction has penned this haiku poem in their honour.

Haiku Poem by Matt Fiction:

New Zealand win it!

The first team to take the crown

World Test Champions

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

The Matt Fiction Book Club

Resident cricket librarian and loved member of the cricket library community Matt Fiction established the Matt Fiction Book Club in 2004 to inspire a love of reading cricket books.

For those wishing to be a part of the club all you need to do is follow the following simple steps.

Step 1: Read and enjoy a cricket book.

Step 2: Think of someone you think would be enriched by reading the book.

Step 3: Ask that person for their best postal address if you do not have it.

Step 4: Write them a note and send with the book in the mail.

Step 5: Ask them to consider doing the same for someone else.

Step 6: Return to step one and start again

Please note, the above process can also be followed for cricket magazines

Roadside Haiku’s With Matt Fiction Episode II – We will have a bat thanks.

Intrepid cricket librarian Matt Fiction has been on the road again and taken time out of his busy schedule to recite another magnificent cricket themed Haiku poem on the side of the road. This one will resonate with all of those skippers who know the feeling of winning the toss when conditions are perfect for batting.

Roadside Haiku’s With Matt Fiction

Matt Fiction has been busily writing a series of cricket themed Haiku poems which he is planning on sharing from the side of the road in his travels throughout NSW Australia.

First cab of the rank is a stirring poem about GD McGrath and appropriately recited at the magnificent Glenn McGrath statue in Narromine NSW.