The Wrong Line

'For as long as the game of cricket has been played internationally, there have been journos "on the tour" ... Life on the road is tough. But as you are about to experience, it's bloody entertaining as well.' Adam Gilchrist

Cricket writer Andrew Ramsey's job was to be on tour with the world's greatest cricket team over a decade when it had no peer. The Wrong Line chronicles the privileges and pitfalls of a life spent trotting the globe, hanging out with sports stars, and being paid to watch cricket - an occupation regarded by countless cricket and travel fans alike as 'the world's best job', even when it renders you alone and in peril with only a three-thumbed taxi driver for support.

Set within the players' dressing room and on the team bus; at the bar, the breakfast table, and even in a haunted medieval castle; in England, the West Indies and India, as well as Sharjah, Bangladesh, Kenya and Hong Kong - The Wrong Line gives you a ringside seat at some of the most memorable cricket events, including the remarkable 1999 World Cup and Australia's chaotic 2005 Ashes campaign.

A tour diary unlike any you have ever read, it delivers a rare insight into the off-field life, character and thoughts of some of the game's all-time greats, including Stephen Waugh, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Brian Lara.

'This is the cricket book of the summer. You won't find an account of the game its main players told in this way anywhere else. It's a refreshing change, and one well worth the read.' - LAUNCESTON EXAMINER

About the Author

Born and raised in South Australia’s famous wine growing region, the Barossa Valley, Andrew Ramsey began working life as a bank teller before realising he was far more comfortable with words than numbers. He worked as a daily newspaper journalist in Adelaide and Melbourne for twenty years, with the final decade spent as a touring cricket writer for The Australian, accompanying the Australian cricket team on numerous international tours. He has covered some of the most memorable series of the recent past, including Australia′s famous 1999 World Cup win and the historic 2005 Ashes series in England, as well as finding himself uncomfortably close to numerous crowd riots, bomb threats and travel disasters.

Andrew has also written about the sport for international publications, such as The Times, The Guardian and the Sunday Telegraph (UK), The Hindu, Hindustan Times and Mid Day (India), and Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac. He has also made semi-regular appearances on radio and television in Australia, England, and in the Caribbean. Since leaving journalism, he has worked as a political speech writer and at universities. He lives in Adelaide, South Australia.