Grahame Lloyd

Location: Cardiff, Wales
About me...

I’ve enjoyed a long and extremely satisfying career as a television and radio journalist working in the areas of news, current affairs and sport and writing eight books about football and cricket. Now semi-retired, I’ve turned my latest book, Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Mystery, into a talk/one-man show which proves that the world’s most famous – and expensive – cricket ball isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

About my presentation...

I will require the venue to provide a projector and screen and sound system – although I do have a pair of small speakers if required. The talk usually lasts for about an hour.

Fee:

Fee: From £95 (please contact me for an exact quote to include additional expenses)

My Contact Details:
Phone:

02922801643

07980541899

Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Saga

This whodunnit? – but with a cricket ball instead of a body – begins with a DVD of Garry Sobers’ feat of hitting the historic six sixes off six balls at Swansea in 1968 before going on, via poems and songs, to reveal the amazing fate of the battered ball sold by Christie’s for a staggering £26,400 in 2006.

Despite the world record auction price, all was not as it seemed. That particular ball was never delivered by Malcolm Nash on that memorable day at St Helen’s and I can tell you why. Fact: the ball that was sold was not the ball bowled..

But why won’t the world’s leading auction house accept that they got it wrong? The plot not only thickens but congeals…

My talk reveals the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, about the world’s most famous – and expensive – cricket ball…

Six Sixes cricket ball: did Christie’s sell the wrong one?

Journalist Grahame Lloyd is determined to find the truth about the cricket ball hit for six sixes by legendary player Sir Garfield Sobers in Swansea in 1968 and is interviewed on BBC Wales Live talking about why Christie’s sold the wrong cricket ball.

See some of the articles that have been written about the Six Sixes cricket ball:

1. Christie’s original Six Sixes cricket ball lot listing : https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4804723

2. Independent newspaper to coincide with the launch of the book, Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Mystery :  https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/wrong-un-and-price-tag-ps26-400-what-happened-garry-sobers-six-sixes-ball-8831878.html

3. A profile of Malcolm Nash from 2015 for The Cricket Monthly magazine :  http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/909203/the-other-side-of-36

4. An article from the Antiques Trade Gazette, the industry’s bible, in 2019 :  https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2019/six-sixes-auction-saga-continues-as-new-footage-of-gary-sobers-interview-is-broadcast/

 

 

What people say about my presentation

A tour of literary festivals in 2018 produced the following reviews “A fabulous evening – thoroughly recommended. (Rye), “a wonderful evening packed full of showmanship, storytelling, intrigue, poetry and song” (Wymondham) and “Bob Dylan and Columbo collide in this fascinating globe-trotting mystery…gloriously entertaining.” (Wellington).

 

 

“A tour de force; part Antiques Roadshow, part Crown Court and with a little bit of Britain’s Got Talent thrown in…a wholly entertaining experience…it’s quirky but a whole lot of fun.”
Norfolk Cricket Society

“It’s not just cricket – whether you love the sound of leather on willow or just enjoy a ripping yarn, Grahame’s a true all-rounder who had our audience laughing, singing, questioning and clapping from the first ball bowled to the last.”
Cardiff Book Festival

“What a great night: a packed clubhouse was thoroughly enthralled by the story of the Six Sixes and the ball. Delivered in an excellent mix of narration, poetry and song. Brilliant, totally enjoyed by all.”
Kimberley Institute CC

“Grahame’s passion and enthusiasm, and ability to grab and keep the attention of the audience, made for an unforgettable night.”
Evesham Festival of Words

“A fascinating story, wonderfully told, but also a great piece of investigative journalism. A thoroughly enjoyable talk!”
Charlie Walker, Adventurer

“What a wonderful event. Grahame combines history, “crime”, poetry and music in a highly entertaining and unique performance. Read the book – or if you get the chance, hear him talk; the evidence is compelling.”
Wirral BookFest

“Completely engaged the audience throughout, using the kind of versatile delivery that would have credited an international bowler. It was fascinating for all, especially those for whom cricket is a passion.”
Frome Festival

Grahame Lloyd Contact Details:
Phone:

02922801643

07980541899

Send a message to Grahame Lloyd