Beyond A Boundary - Book Review

If the Renaissance art characterized the use of perspective, gave birth to classical themes, and renewed hope in culture, then C.L.R. James introspective memoirs, ‘Beyond a Boundary’ unravels, “Cricket as an art!”.

Through insightful essays, this book addresses not just a sport but a whole culture to ask the question, “What do they know of cricket, who only cricket know?” It incisively presents the glorious game, its aesthetics, and its growing influence on the social and political climate in West Indies and England, before and after the war.

Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1901, James over riding passion for cricket was developed not only by playing but because,“ his family cottage was opposite to the recreation ground, or because we were in a British colony and being active people, gravitated naturally towards sport.” He reminisce the role cricket played in his family's history, his neighbourhood and his meetings with early West Indian players. The author’s relentless pursuit to collect clippings and read about his favourite cricketers; W.G.Grace, Victor Trumper and Ranjitsinhji vividly reminds us of our childhood.

The language is little discomforting for larger audience but it reflects James vim and verve for the game. The essays embellished with Anglo- Saxon empiricism stops from being vaguely theatrical. No wonder, it is daunting to review this extraordinary volume in few words!

West Indies made their debut in 1928 and for next three decades were led by white people. James along with Learie Constantine was instrumental in appointing Frank Worrell as the first black captain of the West Indies. Through the prism of cricket and literature, James mirrors its effects on colonialism and the establishment of national culture. James elaborates, “How the clash of race, caste and class did not retard but stimulate West Indian cricket.” Didn’t the Pentagular tournament in undivided India accentuate the development of cricket in the sub-continent?

The essays bring to prominence some hidden aspects of players and the nuances of cricket. “A batsman who was in perfect control by those amazing doubling- jointed wrists and arms is present with Bradman, Sobers, George Headley and a few others.” This is how James brilliantly paints the thrill and ingenuity of Wilton St. Hill, who smoked his cigarette until he had to play the ball. He dedicates an entire section to his friend Learie Constantine. “Constantine was of a royal ancestry in cricket, but in ordinary life, though not a pauper, he was no prince. This contrast explains not all, but much.” Introducing Constantine as a cricketer, a politician and a good human being, these essays highlights the important stages in development of West Indian cricket and simultaneously throws light on league cricket, his own move to England and his involvement with West Indian politics.

I read over dozen times this particular essay and each reading simply heightened my joy. A quick search on ‘Wikipedia’ pops up this statement, “His rate of scoring centuries, 1 every 4 innings is bettered only by Bradman”. Perhaps Dravid would identify himself with the following quote, “I would be putting on my pads and sometimes before I was finished I would hear that the first wicket had gone.” This is what George Headley also known as Black Bradman, carried on his shoulder for nearly ten years. The author uses statistics to present Headley, a natural cricketer and describes the cardinal qualities of the super batsman, “He saw the ball early, He was quick on his feet and he was quick with his bat”. James further adds, “Between 1930 and 1938 Bradman had with him in England Ponsford, Woodfull, McCabe, Kippax, Brown, and Hassett. All scored heavily. In 1933 and 1939 West Indian batsmen scored runs at various times, but George had nobody who could be depended upon.” Ironically such comparisons seem to escape some of our correspondents today.

By writing four essays, James succinctly highlights Dr. W.G. Grace’s role in the development of modern cricket and the Victorian culture. Talking strongly about W.G.’s batting figures, “remarkable as they are, lose all their true significance unless they are seen in close relation with the history of cricket itself and the social history of England. Unless you do this you fall head foremost into the trap of making comparisons with Bradman. Bradman piled up centuries. W.G. built a social organization.”

Enjoying Gary Sobers batting in Australia, James infers, “West Indian cricket has arrived at maturity because of two factors: The rise in financial position of the coloured middle class and the high fees paid to players by the English leagues.” However he is disheartened to observe, modern cricketers sinking into a ‘welfare state of mind’. “The prevailing attitude of the players of 1890-1914 was daring, adventure, creation. The prevailing attitude of 1957 can be summed up in one word - security.” Unfortunately this attitude is still prevalent across the world, engulfing not just the players and the officials, but even the brave curators and sponsors.

Today, West Indian cricket is in a downward spiral to mediocrity and irrelevance, and few wins do not reflect its flamboyance nor its prowess. It’s time West Indian cricket rose like a Phoenix and resurrect C.L.R’s ‘romantics’. Until then, enjoy ‘Beyond a Boundary’ for it delightfully weaves the game in a social context, along with its illustrious proponents and their magnum opus.

The book distinctly reveals James as literati, a Trotsky revolutionary, an iconoclastic commentator, and a die-hard sports lover. Undoubtedly, an immortal masterpiece deserving exclusive space in your personal library and a compulsory read for cricket aficionados and even non-cricket lovers from every generation.