Emeritus professor Brian Stoddart is an Australian academic who was the vice-chancellor of La Trobe University between 2005 and 2006.[1] He is a well-known commentator on sporting matters,[2] being involved in the foundation of the Australian Institute of Sport[3] and being the author of many books exploring the history and importance of sports in society.[4][5]
Stoddart's latest book, published in July 2025, is Playing the Game – How Cricket Made Barbados. A superbly written memoir of his time actually playing in Barbados in the 1980s, with Barbadian cricketers.
While stars like Frank Worrell, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Charlie Griffith, Garry Sobers, Joel Garner, Desmond Haynes and numerous others thrilled global crowds, many if not most were lucky to do so, having to defy broader social circumstances in order to succeed. Because, as Brian Stoddart explains, cricket was central to the realignment of society in Barbados after the 1834 abolition of slavery, its organisation helping shape how Barbadians were ranked by colour, caste and class. A fascinating read. Buy it on Amazon.
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