Nasser Khan launches book on history of Test cricket at Oval

LOCAL author and journalist Nasser Khan will release a comprehensive book ideally for history buffs and sports trivia lovers – 61 Test Matches Played at the Queen's Park Oval 1930-2020, on Wednesday.

A preview of its 205 pages shows all scorecards from and statistics from all the Test matches, along with loads of images from newspaper clippings, framed photos and unpublished photos.

In the introduction, Khan wrote, "The purpose of compiling this commemorative book is to preserve the memories of the 61 Test matches that have been played at the Queen's Park Oval over the period of 90 years, from 1930-2020.

"The Queen's Park Oval is one of the most picturesque and famous cricketing grounds in the world currently ranked 11th out of 121 in the 'most Test matches played at' category since the first Test match was played in March 1877 at Melbourne, Australia, between Australia and England. It is number-one in this category in the West Indies.

"The book's intent, hopefully, will invoke memories while informing its younger readers about a different period of time when the Test format of cricket was king, before the advent and increased popularity of the One Day and currently the T20 and T10 formats."

Khan said the idea of the book struck him last October when he was doing research on national cricketer and QPCC member Marcus Minshall, a multi-talented athlete, who died in 1970. He was the older brother of masman Peter Minshall.

He told Newsday, "While I was going through photos of Marcus Minshall, which I found, he, having played for Queen's Park, and of course TT, it struck me: my God, look at this repository. Why don't I try to compile Test matches at the Queen's Park Oval? So when I proposed it to senior management, before I finished my sentence, they agreed, more so because I had gotten it sponsored, so the cost was covered."

In the foreword, former West Indies wicket-keeper and vice-captain, and former TT Cricket Board and QPCC president Deryck Murray wrote about his boyhood dream to play a Test match on the "hallowed turf of this most idyllic venue," which evolved into a distinguished career in the sport.

"Ours is an enduring journey which deserves to be widely heralded and this publication is a timely intervention," Murray said. "The tales told by the pictures and scorecards will bring pleasure to and no doubt invoke pleasant memories for many of us, especially in these challenging covid19 times.

"Above all, however, a publication like this will be of untold value in passing on the exploits of the former greats especially, and serve to inspire our youths as they explore their dreams and new horizons."

Non-members can purchase copies by calling 387-2731. Members can purchase at the QPCC office or purchase electronically and have it posted locally.

They cost $200.

It is Khan's 21st sponsored publication, with many of his other works crossing non-fiction sub-genres, from sports to milestone anniversary publications for major companies including Shell and organisations like the TT Red Cross. He has also created several charts on topics like agriculture which feature prominently in schools across the country.

His 22nd project, which is under way, he said, involves a cricket-themed publication with forewords by former West Indies cricketers Clive Lloyd and Daren Ganga, and the ministers of sport and education (also sponsors). About 500 copies will be distributed throughout the school districts by about August or September.