We interview Welsh academicRichard H. Thomas about his forthcoming book 'Cricketing Lives: A Characterful History from Pitch to Page.  Richard takes us on a personal odyssey from the origins of cricket to the modern day, stopping off at the places and people most cricket lovers will recognise as the pillars of the game.  W.G Grace, Don Bradman, Bodyline, The Ashes, Ian Botham, women's cricketer Sarah Taylor, the IPL and even cricket under Coronavirus.The book is the fulfilling of an earnest promise made by Richard to his father but it is far more than an affectionate tribute.  Liberally laced with good humour and excellent research it is an attempt to attract new lovers of the game as well as entertain those who already love it.