Almanac Book Review: ‘On Our Selection: An Alternative History of Australian Cricket’ by Bernard Whimpress

November 28, 2025 by 3 Comments

‘It’s still three blokes deciding the future of a group of eager players who hope and pray they someday earn a baggy green.’ Barry Nicholls offers his insights into ‘On our selection: an alternative history of Australian cricket’ by Bernard Whimpress.

Almanac Books – ‘Playing to Win: Australia and the 1972 Ashes’ by Barry Nicholls – an extract.

November 20, 2025 by 2 Comments

With the Ashes series commencing tomorrow we set the mood for First Test with an extract from Barry Nicholls’ recent book, ‘Playing to Win: Australia and the 1972 Ashes’.

Almanac Books: Books in my life – A reluctance to read

November 14, 2025 by 14 Comments

Barry Nicholls was invited to speak to The Friends of the State Library of South Australia to talk about influential books in his life. Here is the speech he gave on Tuesday November 4 at the Hetzel Lecture Theatre.

Almanac Book Review: ‘Redtails in the Sunset: The untold story of the Central Australian Football Club’

October 31, 2025 by 1 Comment

Reviewing ‘Redtails in the Sunset: The untold story of the Central Australian Football Club’ by Darren Moncrieff brought back many memories for Barry Nicholls of his time working in Alice Springs as he recalls in the review.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘Cricket World Cup: A Celebration of the ODI and T20 Games’ by Liam Hauser

October 28, 2025 by 2 Comments

‘Cricket World Cup: A Celebration of the ODI and T20 Games’ by Liam Hauser is a comprehensive and appealing account of the development of ODI and T20 cricket and is reviewed by Barry Nicholls,

Almanac Cricket: ‘Tigers among the Lions’: A reflection on the 1972 Ashes

October 21, 2025 by 2 Comments

The Ashes series of 1972, and in particular Ian Chappell’s account of the series in his book ‘Tigers among the Lions’, had a profound influence on Barry Nicholls at the time as he recalls..

Almanac Books: Is sports publishing in Australia in a death spiral?

October 10, 2025 by 10 Comments

Main stream publishers have ‘dropped the ball’ when it comes to publishing sporting books argues Barry Nicholls in his thought provoking piece.

Everyday Obituaries: Remembering Josh Langley

July 24, 2025 by 5 Comments

Josh Langley was a revered author, radio copywriter, and podcaster. Barry Nicholls remembers his good friend.

Almanac Travel: I’ve been to Bali too!

May 26, 2025 by 9 Comments

Some memories recalled by Barry Nicholls from his recent trip to Bali.

Almanac Cricket – Keith Stackpole: a profile

April 23, 2025 by 4 Comments

As we mark the passing of Keith Stackpole today, Barry Nicholls shares a profile of ‘Stackie’ which will appear in his book ‘Playing to Win’ which is due for release around Fathers Day.

Almanac WA: Second Meeting – John Townsend and ‘Ugly’

January 30, 2025 by 4 Comments

Barry Nicholls reports on the second gathering of the Western Australia chapter of The Footy Almanac.

Almanac Cricket: Ross Edwards – A Profile

November 30, 2024 by 8 Comments

In Barry Nicholls’ soon to be released book ‘Playing to Win: Ian Chapell’s 1972 Australians,’ he introduces each of the 17 Australian tourists before that year’s Ashes. In a preview for the book a profile of Ross Edwards is provided.

How the west was won (by the Almanackers)

November 11, 2024 by 11 Comments

Barry Nicholls was part of a gathering of Sandgropers from the greater Almanackery recently – and they’re planning to make it regular.

A coffee with … Malcolm ‘Rulebook’ Ashwood

August 16, 2024 by 23 Comments

Barry Nicholls continues his regular series with a slight twist – today it’s ‘A coffee with … Malcolm ‘Rulebook’ Ashwood and an insight into ‘Rulebooks’s’ life in the world of sport.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘On Sport: Reviews 1995-2023’ by Bernard Whimpress – Reviewed by Barry Nicholls

August 14, 2024 by 2 Comments

Bernard Whimpress has written on sports for over fifty years. Barry Nicholls reviews one of Bernard’s many books, ‘On Sport: Reviews 1995-2023’ – a collection of sporting books reviewed by Bernard over many years.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘Harry Hodgetts: The flawed broker behind Don Bradman’s move to Adelaide’ by John Davis

August 10, 2024 by 15 Comments

Barry Nicholls reviews ‘Harry Hodgetts:  The flawed broker behind Don Bradman’s  move to Adelaide’ by John Davis. Barry provides a fascinating insight into the rise and fall of business man Harry Hodgetts and his role regarding the business and cricketing interests of Australia’s greatest batsman.

A Beer with … Kate Birrell

July 2, 2024 by 14 Comments

Barry Nicholls features a much loved member of the Footy Almanac family – Kate Birrell, in this instalment of ‘A Beer with … ‘.

A Beer with … Mickey Randall

June 21, 2024 by 17 Comments

Barry Nicholls continues his ‘A beer with …’ series featuring our sausage roll specialist, beer connoisseur, music and reading fan, and Almanacker favourite – Mickey Randall.