The godfather of cricket photography hangs up his camera

His chosen media - shooting for magazines and books rather than newspapers - have suited his gentler approach. ''A modern picture editor in a newspaper, all he wants is a really good celebration photograph to put on the front or back page, the bowler with his hands up and mouth open. You go to a Test match and end up with five days of celebration pictures, but you haven't got any narrative. What actually happened? Who took the catches? How?''

Studies of great players underscore his point. Eagar is pleased Steve Waugh likes the image of him batting at Lord's in 1989. It is the second Test, England is yet to capture Waugh's wicket, and here is why: right toes grounded behind the crease, knee on turf as left leg is thrust seemingly halfway down the pitch. Elbow points skyward, eyes are fixed on the ball beneath baggy green cap, bat is angled such that contact sends the ball to ground. Jack Russell awaits the chance that never came; their evening shadows accentuate an image of impenetrable batting perfection.