The MCC Library is proud to present the first event of its 2025 MCC Library Cricket Series, Cricket's Forgotten Pioneer - The Frank Tarrant Story.
Australian journalist and cricket writer, Gideon Haigh, will be joined by the book's author, Mike Coward for an exclusive in-conversation event hosted by the MCC Library in collaboration with The Cricket Publishing Company.
MCC members are invited to the MCC Library for an afternoon tea and discussion on the story of Frank Tarrant.
All members and guests will receive a complimentary copy of the book. Additional copies will be available for sale (EFTPOS only), with some limited-edition Frank Tarrant books available, signed by Tarrant's great-great-granddaughter, Maria Tarrant, Mike Coward and publisher Ronald Cardwell.
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Location: MCC Library, Level 3, Members’ Reserve
Cost: $20 members & guests
Dress code: Members’ Reserve Dress Standards
Bookings for this function will open at 9.00am on Thursday September 18, 2025 and will be taken on a first-in, first-served basis. Bookings will close at 5.00pm on Thursday October 23, 2025 unless sold out prior.
If after booking you find you are unable to attend, please email mccfunctions@mcc.org.au or phone (03) 9657 8888. We’ll do our best, but we cannot guarantee a refund for any cancellation after 5pm, Thursday October 23, 2025.
Images and video footage captured at the event may be used for promotional purposes. For more information, please visit our privacy policy at mcc.org.au/privacy.
After the Great War prematurely ended his brilliant career at Middlesex, he intensified his coaching in India and helped prepare the national team for Test cricket. An internationalist by instinct, Tarrant fulfilled the wish of his patron, the Maharaja of Patiala, to establish the first formal cricket ties between India and Australia. In 1935-36, Tarrant managed the first, albeit unofficial, Australian team to India and with his captain, Jack Ryder, foretold of the greatness that awaited India as a cricket nation. History must be kinder to Tarrant, the patriarch of Indo-Australian cricket.
To read more about the book via the publisher’s website, click here.
Australian journalist and cricket writer, Gideon Haigh, will be joined by the book's author, Mike Coward for an exclusive in-conversation event hosted by the MCC Library in collaboration with The Cricket Publishing Company.
MCC members are invited to the MCC Library for an afternoon tea and discussion on the story of Frank Tarrant.
All members and guests will receive a complimentary copy of the book. Additional copies will be available for sale (EFTPOS only), with some limited-edition Frank Tarrant books available, signed by Tarrant's great-great-granddaughter, Maria Tarrant, Mike Coward and publisher Ronald Cardwell.
FUNCTION DETAILS
Date: Thursday October 30, 2025Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Location: MCC Library, Level 3, Members’ Reserve
Cost: $20 members & guests
Dress code: Members’ Reserve Dress Standards
BOOKING PROCESS
This function is open to members of all categories who may bring 3 guests. There are limited spots available so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.Bookings for this function will open at 9.00am on Thursday September 18, 2025 and will be taken on a first-in, first-served basis. Bookings will close at 5.00pm on Thursday October 23, 2025 unless sold out prior.
If after booking you find you are unable to attend, please email mccfunctions@mcc.org.au or phone (03) 9657 8888. We’ll do our best, but we cannot guarantee a refund for any cancellation after 5pm, Thursday October 23, 2025.
Images and video footage captured at the event may be used for promotional purposes. For more information, please visit our privacy policy at mcc.org.au/privacy.
About the Book
History has been unkind to redoubtable Melbourne-born all-rounder Frank Tarrant. Underrated as a cricketer and undervalued as an advocate and envoy for the game, he was in line for selection for both Australia and England at the start of the 20th century but ultimately did not play a Test match. Yet he scored nearly 18,000 runs and claimed more than 1500 wickets in first-class cricket and for a time was regarded as the world’s foremost all-rounder. Mentored by Pelham Warner, befriended by Kumar Ranjitsinhji and a taker of WG Grace’s wicket, Tarrant’s career spanned 37 years in Australia, England and India.After the Great War prematurely ended his brilliant career at Middlesex, he intensified his coaching in India and helped prepare the national team for Test cricket. An internationalist by instinct, Tarrant fulfilled the wish of his patron, the Maharaja of Patiala, to establish the first formal cricket ties between India and Australia. In 1935-36, Tarrant managed the first, albeit unofficial, Australian team to India and with his captain, Jack Ryder, foretold of the greatness that awaited India as a cricket nation. History must be kinder to Tarrant, the patriarch of Indo-Australian cricket.
To read more about the book via the publisher’s website, click here.