Ready reckoner

The Cricketers' Who's Who 2008 edited by Chris Marshall
(Green Umbrella Publishing, 786pp) £16.99

The internet has caused a lot of trouble for reference books. Why spend money in a bookshop when the (more up-to-date) information can be found online within minutes?

Yet somehow the Cricketers' Who's Who still feels a necessary part of the season. Yes, you can find all first- class players involved in the English summer online, but it's the detail that counts. Usman Afzaal rates his career highlight as "playing for England in the 2001 Ashes". That would be three Tests, 83 runs and two innings-defeats - clearly for Afzaal it's the taking part that counts. South Africa should be warned - Kevin Pietersen rates his three ODI hundreds against South Africa in 2004-05 above winning the Ashes as his career highlight.

These snippets of information reveal an insight into character - and perhaps none more so than Glamorgan's highly-rated quick bowler James Harris. Under the section "favourite music", he's declined to name a vigorous heavy rock band than would befit a fast bowler. Instead he's gone for octogenarians' favourites the Lighthouse Family. Peter Moores should have a word.