An American Lord’s Guide to Cricket Finds a Curious Audience

Written By R. Peregrine with Fact-checking by C. Everly – Salem, Oregon

James Allister Odd’s new book, The American Guide to the Laws of Cricket: Presented by Montagu Odd & Sons, seeks to explain a sport long misunderstood in the United States. Combining historical background, practical instruction, and personal reflection, the work offers an American perspective on a game more often associated with English greens than Oregon rain.

“I wanted to make the rules understandable without losing their spirit,” Odd said in a recent interview at his home in Salem. “Cricket isn’t fast, but it’s not dull. It rewards thought, and I think that appeals to certain people here, even if they don’t realise it yet.”

Balancing Heritage and Modern Life

Formally, Odd is The Right Honourable Lord Hasley, 19th of that title, as well as Count of Valais and Baron of Carrighmain. The titles trace to families in Buckinghamshire, England, and the Valais region of Switzerland. Though aware of the attention they draw, he speaks of them with restraint.

“Titles are part of my history,” he said, “but they don’t define my present. I consider them background information.”

Odd’s family once produced cricket bats under the name Montagu Odd & Sons, a small enterprise active in England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name now appears in the book’s subtitle as a nod to that lineage.

From Career to Reflection

Now semi-retired, Odd describes his earlier professional life only in general terms, referring to “technical and analytical work.” He says the habits formed there — precision, patience, and an interest in structured systems — influenced his approach to cricket’s rules.

“The game has its own logic,” he explained. “Once you see how it fits together, it’s surprisingly elegant.”

Educated in philosophy and information theory, he treats the subject as both a rule set and a cultural lens. The book alternates between plain-language explanations of the Laws of Cricket and short essays about tradition, fairness, and time.

An Attempt at Translation

At 348 pages, the volume is part guidebook and part meditation. It breaks down field positions, scoring, and umpiring while addressing what Odd calls “the rhythm of play.” He emphasises that his intent is not to convert Americans into cricket fans but to present the sport as “a study in composure and civility.”

“It’s an old game, but not an obsolete one,” he said. “It’s slower than baseball, but it’s built for endurance and observation. Those are still useful traits.”

Reception and Availability

Early readers have described the book as accessible and measured in tone. Cricket clubs in both the United States and the United Kingdom have noted its utility for beginners unfamiliar with the sport’s terminology.

Odd lives in Salem with his wife, Clarity Rose Odd, and maintains that his writing is a personal pursuit rather than a commercial venture. “If it helps someone understand why people still care about this game,” he said, “that’s enough.”

The American Guide to the Laws of Cricket is available through Corso Publishing in hardcover and digital editions via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstones.