As primer for #INDvsAUS binged Season 2 of #TheTest on #AmazonPrime. Enjoyed #UsmanKhawaja's thoughtful interviews and loved reliving his double #SCG centuries and #ScottBoland's #MCG heroics. Wasn't keen on scenes surrounding #JustinLanger's departure! 🏏 #cricket

https://www.primevideo.com/region/fe/detail/0QZNMAGXU2HGY1CP8MS81BZJKY/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

I finished #Willowman by #IngaSimpson (#Hachette Australia Books 2022) on Wednesday, and I'm sure it will remain one of my favourites for 2023.

I loved Simpson's interconnected tale of the older batmaker, coping with the break-up of his marriage and reconnecting with his daughter through the crafting of willow bats and a shared love of cricket.

And the young cricketer, destined for greatness but who faces the trials and tribulations all cricket fans will recognise. While his sister seeks to make her mark in a traditionally male-orientated sport.

Yes, I'm a #cricket fan, but I suggest Willowman transcends sport. But then, the same could be said about cricket.

In a fitting coincidence, I finished the book and read Simpon's acknowledgements after watching the episode of Amazon Prime's #TheTest, dedicated to #PhillipHughes:

Thank you to Phillip Hughes, who should have played a hundred Tests, for the motivation to write this story. I loved watching you bat.

Here's a link to a special Book Club episode of ABC RN's #TheBookshelf, with host Kate Evans and guests discussing Willowman and The Bodyline Fix: How women saved cricket by Marion Stell:

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-bookshelf/the-bookshelf-cricket-book-club-feat-inga-simpson-willowman/14110772

There's not one person who's booing who hasn't made a mistake in their life. ~ #JustinLanger S1-E6 of #AmazonPrime #TheTest in response to English crowd's reaction to #DavidWarner. 🏏 #cricket #GetOverIt

Rewatching first series of #TheTest on #AmazonPrime, with memories of my one and only day at the #MCG #BoxingDayTest. "It was the flattest wicket in the world." ~ #JustinLanger 🏏 #cricket #TestCricket #AUSvINDIA

Rewatching Season 1 of #TheTest on #AmazonPrime. Favourite line so far is #MarnusLabuschagne's in #UAE preparing for series against #Pakistan: It was hot, but for me, it wasn't outrageously hot. I think it's different because we come from Queensland. 🏏

https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0HG4RDTNBLYI6CEF2HNSHA9O67/ref=atv_dp_season_select_s1

Very much looking forward to the preview premiere of S02 of #TheTest on Prime Video. Will be reviewing it on this week’s TV BINGEBOX video pod.