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  • Published: 18 January 2022
  • ISBN: 9781761046728
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $32.99

Cooper Not Out




A delightfully uplifting Australian novel about the joy of discovering your greatest potential.
'My favourite book, sporting or otherwise, of 2022.' Canberra Times

'I’m calling it…this is THE book of summer.' GOOD READS

In the Australian summer of 1984, in the small country town of Penguin Hill, Sergeant Roy Cooper is making a name for himself. He’s been batting for his local cricket club for decades — and he’s a statistical miracle. He’s overweight, he makes very few runs, he’s not pretty to watch, but he’s never been dismissed.

When local schoolgirl Cassie Midwinter discovers this feat, she decides to take the matter further. The remarkable story finds its way into the hands of Donna Garrett, a female sports columnist who’s forced to write under a male pseudonym to be taken seriously.

That summer, the West Indies are thrashing Australia, and the Australian people’s love of cricket has never been lower. But Donna’s columns on Roy Cooper capture the imagination of a nation, and soon there’s pressure to select him for the national team. This would see him playing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, carrying the spirit of every small country town in Australia along with him. Could such a miracle actually happen?

This is sport, after all, and who doesn’t love a good story?

COOPER NOT OUT is a funny, heart-warming novel set within real events. It is a moving and highly original tale about friendship and belief, and the joy of discovering your greatest potential.

'Cooper Not Out is the story Australia needs right now. This beautifully written book highlights life's simple pleasures, like a game of country cricket, but its emotional complexity is what makes it really sing. Justin Smith deftly handles issues of class, pride, gender, machismo, and social norms around sexuality. Frankly, it's a ripping read that will make your heart swell. Roy Cooper is a hero for our times.' Tracey Spicer

'An uplifting, inspiring, fun story, to make our hearts sing.' Canberra Times
‘I am gobsmacked. I love cricket. I love stories. I love books so I have just won the trifecta! Think The Castle, think Phar Lap, think Rocky all rolled into one. I laughed, I cried, I couldn’t put it down. This beautifully written tale has everything – it’s funny, heartwarming, nostalgic and most importantly manages to brilliantly create an atmosphere of anticipation that keeps you coming back for more. I’d give it 6 stars if I could!’ Better Reading

  • Published: 18 January 2022
  • ISBN: 9781761046728
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $32.99

About the author

Justin Smith

Justin Smith is a Melbourne writer, journalist and broadcaster. He’s a columnist with the Melbourne Herald Sun and a weekly guest on Channel Seven’s Sunrise program and Sky News.


Justin has had a long career in radio as a presenter and executive producer. He has hosted national programs, he was embedded with Australian troops in Afghanistan, and was the Drive host on Sydney’s 2UE. He’s won multiple awards for journalism and broadcasting.

Also by Justin Smith

See all

Praise for Cooper Not Out

Cooper Not Out is the story Australia needs right now. This beautifully written book highlights life’s simple pleasures, like a game of country cricket, but its emotional complexity is what makes the book really sing. .. Frankly, it’s a ripping read that will make your heart swell. Roy Cooper is a hero for our times.

Tracey Spicer, OAM

An uplifting, inspiring, fun story, to make our hearts sing … I didn't want this book to end. I wanted it to drag on for the full five days, to go into overtime, to mix my sporting metaphors. In the words of the late, great Richie Benaud, it's simply marvellous stuff.

Canberra Times

This is one of the best books I have read in a while. It’s a big call, but it just filled my heart.

Merc's Book Nook

I’m calling it…this is THE book of summer. Set in the Aussie summer of 1984, cricket is a big player in the story but there’s so much more. The story is uplifting, poignant and beautifully Aussie!

GOOD READS

It’s summer, and who doesn’t love a story about small country towns, cricket and the triumph of an underdog.

Gourmet Traveller

This warm bear-hug of a book had me grinning from the first page.

Maya Linnell

‘Justin’s magical way with words had me enthralled from the first paragraph.’

iforstyle

Smith's irreverent, uplifting sports comedy is a nostalgic celebration of cricket that gives a cheerful up yours to the misogyny and homophobia of the era.

The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald

I’ve read many a cricket book in my lifetime …but I haven’t read a cricket book as downright fun as Cooper Not Out. Here, Justin Smith transports us back to the heady days of summer 84/85 and the Windies tour of Australia…This book is exactly what it says it is: a feelgood, charming story about an unlikely hero, full of scones an delightful characters.

Readings

I am gobsmacked. I love cricket. I love stories. I love books so I have just won the trifecta! Think The Castle, think Phar Lap, think Rocky all rolled into one. I laughed, I cried, I couldn’t put it down. This beautifully written tale has everything – it’s funny, heartwarming, nostalgic and most importantly manages to brilliantly create an atmosphere of anticipation that keeps you coming back for more. I’d give it 6 stars if I could!

Better Reading

Discover more

Article
Cooper Not Out: An interview with Justin Smith and Matt Day

Cooper Not Out author Justin Smith chats to audiobook narrator Matt Day about his delightfully uplifting Australian novel.

Video
Cooper Not Out: Interview with Justin Smith and Matt Day

A delightfully uplifting Australian novel about the joy of discovering your greatest potential.