Douglas Jardine was the archetypal gentleman cricketer — educationally and socially grounded in the playing fields of public school and the dreaming spires of Oxford.

Paradoxically, though, this beacon of amateurism will forever be associated with one of the earliest examples of a professional and analytical approach to winning a test series — the infamous 1933 Bodyline tour to Australia.

His ruthless application of leg theory, to nullify the stellar batting of Don Bradman, would probably not merit any column inches in today’s reporting of the 2013 Ashes series but back then it smacked of unsportsmanlike behaviour and resulted in a diplomatic incident.

Jonathan Agnew includes this infamous episode and many other poignant recollections in Cricket: A Modern Anthology, capturing the impact of cricket on our social, cultural and political landscape since its inception over 200 years ago.

It’s often the distinctive voices of the past, though, rather than the headline acts that have become associated with capturing the public’s imagination of a memorable moment or deed.

Arlott, Johnstone, Blofeld, Benaud and Laker are a roll-call of broadcasters from bygone summer days when the sound mattered almost as much as the action.

The latter two will forever be associated with Botham’s Ashes of 1981, whereas the poetic Arlott will be remembered as the cricketing voice of those monochrome post-war years when a lyrical delivery brought light into the listener’s world.

Agnew has chosen writings by an array of cricket lovers, putting each into context with a short foreword giving his insight into the piece to follow. His careful selection of these recollections highlights a sport brimming with unique individuals, quirky traditions and the essential Englishness of cricket. It’s the village green, the dappled sunlight on a dreamy outfield and the sound of innocence being played out.