Author(s): Will Swanton

9-12 Years Middle Readers

The mullygrubber is part of cricketing folklore: a ball only delivered by accident, shooting along the ground after hitting a crack in the pitch. But one bowler, Mullygrubber Malone, has learned to do it on purpose - and being the only one who can, is now the most dangerous bowler in the world. The Mighty Mullygrubber Malone is the story of a twelve-year-old leg spinner who goes all the way from being part of the school team to the Australian Test XI in one summer. Precious creatures, leggies. With them, Grubber beats schoolyard bully Bumper Barnes to a place in the NSW Under-12s side. Ditto for the Australian Under-14s. Grubber then rockets through the age groups for the local club, the Barrenjoey Bugles. Being too good for the Under-15s, Grubber is thrown into the Under-17s, then the Under-19s - still too good. Then comes grade cricket against the men, with Grubber becoming the man of the match in fourth grade, third grade, second grade ...and first grade.
Populated by such characters as schoolyard nemesis Bumper Barnes (a galoot who gives nipple cripples and Chinese burns), Technique Thompson, Seamer Smith and Outswinger OReilly, author Will Swanton beautifully evokes the days of schoolboy cricket. Readers will all recognise the Test idols that Grubber gets to play with: Wise Old Waugh, Metronome McGrath, Hercules Hayden et al, playing against Insane Husseins Poms. Its a kids book for adults and an adults book for kids. If you love your cricket, you will love this book. - Michael Slater, Recent Australian Test Great and Current Cricket Commentator