Playing for the Ashes (10 Mar. 2003)

Lynley seeks the help of profiler Helen Clyde when he investigates the asphyxiation death of superstar cricketer with a dysfunctional personal life.

Director:

Richard Spence

Writers:

Elizabeth George (novel), Kate Wood (screenplay)

Stars:

Clare Swinburne, Mark Brighton, Nathaniel Parker

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Clare Swinburne	...	Gabriella Patten
Mark Brighton	...	Kenneth Waring
Nathaniel Parker	...	Thomas Lynley
Sharon Small	...	Barbara Havers
Andrew Havill	...	Inspector Ardery
Lesley Vickerage	...	Helen Clyde
Ruth Gemmell	...	Jeannie Waring
William Scott-Masson	...	Official
Phyllis Logan	...	Miriam Whitelaw
Joe Duttine	...	Chris Faraday
Neve McIntosh	...	Olivia Whitelaw
Curtis Flowers	...	Jimmy Waring
Daisy Beaumont	...	Amanda
Peter Crawford	...	Newscaster
Andrew Clover	...	Hugh Patten

Storyline

When England cricketer Kenneth Waring dies of asphyxiation after a fire is set at a friend's house, the police have no doubt they are dealing with murder. The house belonged to Waring's patron and close friend Miriam Whitelaw who had a visitor the evening Waring died, her estranged daughter Olivia. Waring was separated from his wife Jeannie and had recently given her divorce papers. As well, his lover and agent Gabriella Patten, the ex-wife of a cricket teammate, has gone missing. Miriam had recently been attacked by animal rights activists which, unbeknown to her, included her daughter. When Waring's son confesses to the murder, Lynley has his doubts. Lynley decides they need a profiler on the case and not surprisingly hires Helen Clyde for the job but things don't go very well. Havers moves into her new flat.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | cricketer | asphyxiation | police | divorce | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

BBC drama official website

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2003 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Thomas Lynley: [to Helen about Waring] Weak man, great cricketer.

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Connections

Follows The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Well Schooled in Murder (2002)

User Reviews

Edgy characters make interesting background for murder...

NATHANIEL PARKER and SHARON SMALL are not exactly a plausible pair as detectives, but the script makes use of their odd personality quirks and provides a few moments of genuine humor. The plot concerns the death of a young cricket player and the assorted characters who had something to do with his rather unhappy past.

The performances are all first rate, especially NEVE McINTOSH as Olivia, a young woman who holds the secret to what really happened when the man was murdered. NATHANIEL PARKER lends his strong presence to the role of Inspector Lynley and is believable as a man determined to get to the bottom of a messy murder.

All the red herrings are nicely planted. Well done in good British style.