Cricket Books
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Thin White Line
Book SynopsisThe Thin White Line is the gripping account of the spot-fixing scandal which sent shockwaves through cricket. Taking the reader through the events of that August and beyond, it reveals how the News of the World uncovered the criminality of the Pakistan captain and his two best bowlers, and how its star reporter followed them to jail.
£11.69
Headline Publishing Group The Little Book of Cricket: Great quotes off the
Book SynopsisCricket is blessed with quality prose and gifted writing. The nobles and gentlemen who brought the game of cricket from England's villages to the pavilion at Lord's were often as equally blessed with the gift of wit and banter as they were with leather and willow. Their turns of phrase, intellectual insights and outlandish observations were as likely to knock you for six as to leave you stumped. The Little Book of Cricket encapsulates their often hilarious, sometimes sombre and occasionally downright bizarre quotes as the greats of the game, from Don Bradman to Steve Waugh and Ian Botham to Freddie Flintoff, all describe their beloved sport in their own words. 'He's got it, England have won the World Cup by the barest of margins... Absolute ecstasy for England, agony, agony for New Zealand.' Ian Smith, New Zealand commentor, calling that crucial final ball of the super over. 'He lifted the game from a state of conventional excitement to one of unbelievable suspense and drama and finally into the realm of romantic fiction.' Henry Blofeld, on a then 18-year-old Ian Botham, 1974.Table of ContentsLore: the history and the rules • Batsmen: the game's greatest run scorers • Quicks: banter from the bowlers • Spinners: dominating the record books • All Rounders: delivering devastating quips • Legendary teams: the players and the games • Great grounds: unlocking the venues • Moments in time: from Bodyline to World Cup magic • Media: the genius behind the commentary.
£6.99
Bloomsbury India Driven: The Virat Kohli Story
Book SynopsisVirat Kohli, the undisputed monarch of the cricket world today, is no stranger to loss. His biggest support both on and off the field-his father Prem Kohli-succumbed to a cerebral stroke when Virat was only 18 years old. In a fitting tribute that would''ve made his father proud, Virat returned to the field to continue an innings just a few hours after his father passed away. In Driven, Vijay Lokapally recounts happier times in the journey of Virat''s rapid rise to international stardom-an account punctuated with little-known stories from fellow players, coaches, and intimates. Virat is already the recipient of countless accolades including the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri, India''s highest sporting honour-Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, the title of BCCI''s ''International Cricketer of the Year'' as well as the ICC''s ''ODI Cricketer of the Decade''. But for him, it''s not about the fame or the money, or the roar of the crowds. Few know of his altruistic nature and his dedication to numerous charities for underprivileged children. What has not escaped the public eye though, is how this wizard of the willow wears his heavy mantle with such insouciant ease.
£999.99
Hardie Grant Books Cricket
Book SynopsisCricket: A Portrait of a Game is photography in the tradition of the great 20th century photographers. It captures the heart of the game from the commentators chatting in the broadcast booth, players relaxing in the team rooms, to never before photos of Shane Warne. Distinguished cricket writer and photographer, Mark Ray, has roamed the world of cricket capturing the greats of the cricket-playing nations as well as unique portraits of the world of cricket. This is a stunning portrait of the game played across the globe and loved by generations: it documents the spirit that surrounds it, from the stars behind the scenes – unselfconscious and uninhibited – to those that support the game, the fans, the groundsmen the umpires, and the commentators. A rich and fascinating portrait of a game much loved.
£28.00
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Cricketers of 1945
Book Synopsis The Cricketers of 1945 is the compelling, poignant, and above all human, story of the reawakening of English cricket in the immediate aftermath of the world''s most destructive war.The book brings to life the summer''s Victory Tests, played on home soil between England and Australia, as well as the personal stories of the players and their families, plus those of some of the hundreds of thousands of spectators who flocked to the matches to celebrate the return of something approaching normal life after the ordeal and sacrifice of the war years.This vivid account is illuminated by fresh archival research, encompassing the diaries and personal letters of both cricketers and cricket lovers, giving the reader a strong sense of what it was like to be alive at this unique time as much of the world awoke, or was still awakening, from the nightmare ordeal of the long years of conflict.
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Skills Cricket batting
Book SynopsisThe Know the Game Skills series is the perfect introduction to a sport for every budding player.Each book aims to teach young players the basic skills they need to start enjoying their sport - by giving plenty of simple practice drills and showing how the star players do it.Cricket: Batting aims to teach the basic skills needed to become successful with the bat. It teaches young players how to:- Control the bat - Face a bowler - Play all the shots - Read a bowler - Understand the field - Run between the wicketsClearly illustrated and written by a professional coach, this book will give every player all the skills they need to enjoy cricket.Table of ContentsIntroduction Equipment Perfect preparation Front foot defence Back foot defence Leaving the ball Front foot driving Back foot driving The square cut The pull The leg glance The sweep shot Good running
£9.42
Little, Brown Book Group Hitting Against the Spin
Book Synopsis''Fascinating and insightful . . . lifts the curtain to reveal the inner workings of international cricket. A must-read for any cricketer, coach or fan'' Eoin Morgan''This path-breaking book should be compulsory reading for commentators and captains - and all cricket fans'' Mervyn King''Clever and original but also wise'' Ed SmithHow valuable is winning the toss? And how should captains use it to their advantage? Why does a cricket ball swing? Why don''t Indians bat left-handed? What is a good length and why? Why are leg-spinners so successful in T20 cricket? Why did England win the World Cup? Why do all Test bowlers bowl at either 55 or 85mph? Why don''t they pitch it up?All cricketers long to know the answer to these questions and many more. Only fifteen years ago it would have been difficult to answer them - cricket was guided only by decades-old tradition and received wisdom. Data has changed everything. Today wTrade Review"He held degrees in both English and Economics, and the ability to to articulate the world of one, with the words of the other." The writer here is Nathan Leamon and the subject is baseball pioneer Bill James. But Leamon (both a novelist and a data analyst) could just as easily be writing about himself. Leamon has a rare kind of high intelligence: he is open to all kinds of knowledge, not just scientific knowledge, and he understands which method is appropriate in which circumstance. Put differently, he is not only clever and original, but also wise * Ed Smith, National Selector for England cricket & author of What Sport Tells Us About Life *Fascinating and insightful . . . lifts the curtain to reveal the inner workings of international cricket. A must-read for any cricketer, coach or fan * Eoin Morgan *Sport has been revolutionized by data. In their path-breaking book, Nathan Leamon and Ben Jones use data to show that many of our preconceptions are false and reveal astonishing new insights into international cricket. Compulsory reading for fans, commentators, captains and players * Mervyn King *Deeply thoughtful, clever and open-minded . . . One way of viewing this book is as cricket's A Brief History of Time, a layman's guide to deep complexity, an act of communication as much as one of science. On that level it works beautifullywell, engaging with concepts in attention-grabbing ways -- Jon Hotten * Wisden Cricket Monthly *Fascinating -- Steve James * The Times *
£9.74
Rizzoli International Publications This is Cricket In The Spirit of the Game
Book SynopsisWinner of the WISDEN BOOK OF THE YEAR award and the TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF THE YEAR, this book is a celebration of the elegance and timeless beauty of cricket—its greatest and most stylish players, from past heroes to today’s stars, along with its idyllic and hallowed grounds.Cricket has been played for over three hundred years and in some ways remains largely unchanged. It is this timelessness, and the style and spirit in which the game is conducted, which is celebrated in This Is Cricket.The book brings together such idyllic settings as Sir Paul Getty''s Ground in Buckinghamshire, U.K., surrounded by rolling countryside, with the Otago cricket ground in New Zealand set against a backdrop of mountains, as well as the sport''s most hallowed pitches, including Lord''s (opened by Thomas Lord in 1814) and Melbourne Cricket Ground, which hosted the first-ever International Test match in 1877.Readers will venture on a Trade ReviewThis has won the 2021 Wisden Book of the Year award, and is a classic example of the coffee table genre that would grace any living room.' - The Cricketer Magazine, June 2021
£44.00
Simon & Schuster Ltd Simply the Best
Book SynopsisDavid 'Bumble' Lloyd is one of cricket's great characters - hilarious, informative and insightful, and filled with boundless enthusiasm for the game. Now, in Cricket Characters, he tells the stories of the most important, influential, talented and entertaining characters he has come across in sixty years in the game. Following on from the bestselling successes of Last in the Tin Bath and Around the World in 80 Pints, in his new book Bumble looks back at the cricketers who have had the greatest impact on him throughout his career. From the gnarly veterans he first played against as a teenager in the Lancashire League, through the old pros he met on the county circuit while at Lancashire on to a revealing insight into life alongside Mike Atherton, Ian Botham, Nasser Hussain and Shane Warne in the commentary box, this book reveals Bumble at his best: telling great stories about his favourite people
£9.49
Halsgrove Somerset Cricketers 18821914
Book Synopsis
£16.14
Simon & Schuster Ltd England The Biography
Book Synopsis'An astonishing work of research, detail and revelation. Bulging with information, packed with nuggets.' John Etheridge, Sun'Superbly researched... His eye for detail never wavers. It’s a pleasure to read.' Vic Marks, Observer'The Cricket Book of the Year: Dauntingly comprehensive and surprisingly light-footed.' Simon Briggs, Daily TelegraphEngland: The Biography is the most comprehensive account of the England cricket team that has ever been published, taking the reader into the heart of the action and the team dynamics that have helped shape their success, or otherwise. It is now 140 years since England first played Test match cricket and, for much of that time, it has struggled to perform to the best of its capabilities. In the early years, amateurs would pick and choose which matches and tours they would play; subsequentTrade Review'An astonishing work of research, detail and revelation. Bulging with information, packed with nuggets.' -- John Etheridge * Sun *'Superbly researched piece of work by Simon Wilde. His eye for detail never wavers; he never cuts any corners. It’s a pleasure to read but also works as a reference book.' -- Vic Marks * Observer *The Cricket Book of the Year: 'At once dauntingly comprehensive and surprisingly light-footed.' -- Simon Briggs * Daily Telegraph *'He has done a fabulous job with this book. Inevitably, history reveals historical patterns.' -- Simon Barnes * The Cricketer *'A meaty book, and it has to be. Wilde tells the story with clarity and a pleasing lack of bias.' -- Michael Henderson * The Times *'Another wonderful sports book on the shelves this summer is a brilliantly presented history of English cricket written by Simon Wilde. Not only does it cover all the major matches, issues and controversies of our national summer game, it is also speckled liberally with fascinating lists and statistics... The book is simply a treat.' -- Jim Holden * Sunday Express *'Fellow [cricket] tragics will love this book, issued in the summer of England’s 1,000th Test match. Even the title – England: The Biography – deserves a round of applause for presuming that the nation is synonymous with cricket... The book’s greatest joys are its footnotes.' -- Francis Wheen * Mail on Sunday *‘A well-written, engaging, analytical narrative rich in opinion and revealing facts’ -- Roderick Easdale * Country Life *'An impressive and comprehensive gem...superbly researched and brilliantly delivered. It is going to...be indispensable. It needs to be read, and it deserves to sell well.' -- Huw Turbervill * The Cricketer *'A collection of 35 thematic chapters rather than a chronological narrative and is packed full of stats and fascinating details.' * Mail on Sunday, Sports Books of the Year *'His story of the England cricket team's development is not just highly informative but offers a valuable and lasting perspective... Here is a book that all those writing about the game will want in their laptops as well as their libraries. The book that Wilde was destined to write, a reminder that he is surely the finest editor that Wisden Cricketers Almanack never had; perhaps there is still time.' -- David Hopps * Cricinfo *‘A well-written, engaging, analytical narrative rich in opinion and revealing facts’ -- Roderick Easdale * Country Life *
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Playing the Game?: Cricket's Tarnished Ideals
Book SynopsisOf all games, cricket has long prided itself on its ethical traditions, but to modern sceptics the idea of cricket encapsulating a higher morality is actually something of a myth. Playing the Game? looks at the changing ethics of cricket, from its gentlemanly roots right up until the present day. After decades of sledging, intimidatory bowling, blatant gamesmanship and dissent, the MCC adopted `The Spirit of Cricket' in 2000 in an attempt to reclaim the game's original ethos - but was it already too late? While the concept is a noble one, its impact has so far been limited, as award-winning cricket scribe Mark Peel explains. As well as looking back to the infamous Bodyline series of 1932/33, Peel also investigates the effects of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket; takes the ICC to task on their failure to quell rowdy behaviour and gamesmanship; examines the double standards of Western cricketing nations towards Pakistan; and delves into the recent ball-tampering affair that has tainted Aussie cricket.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Hollow Crown
Book SynopsisAward-winning cricket writer Mark Peel charts the development of the England captaincy - from the autocratic captains of the post-war years to the dual captaincy of the present, where power is shared between captain and coach. Peel examines the huge demands the England captaincy imposes on the occupant and why few leave office with their reputation enhanced. You'll learn about the long-lasting legacy of the Hutton captaincy of the mid-1950s, the downfall of mavericks such as Brian Close, Tony Greig and Mike Gatting, the success of the Illingworth and Brearley eras and the chaos of the 1980s, when captains came and went with regular abandon, and finally the glory years of Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss. The Hollow Crown contains individual portraits of the 43 England captains, exploring their background, philosophy, strengths, weaknesses and the legacy they left, with special attention given to the likes of Hutton, May, Illingworth, Brearley, Atherton, Hussain, Vaughan and Strauss.
£16.99
Octopus Publishing Group It's Always Summer Somewhere: A Matter of Life
Book Synopsis*****THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK"Felix White's beautifully, elegantly and passionately written book reminds me why I love cricket so much. And reading, come to that." - Stephen Fry"The love of cricket is both communal and individual. Felix has a wonderful knack of evoking both in a book full of life, joy and resilience." - Gideon Haigh"Life beyond sport, love after loss, a soulful portrait of how play stops the rain." - Cariad Lloyd"This is an extraordinary first book ... funny, tragic, candid and heartfelt; it would be remarkable if he ever wrote a better one." - Wisden Almanack 2022Felix White, for reasons often beyond him, has always been deeply in love with cricket. His passion for the game is at the fore on the BBC 's number one cricket podcast and 5Live show, Tailenders, which he co-presents with Greg James and Jimmy Anderson. It's Always Summer Somewhere is his funny, heartbreaking and endlessly engaging love letter to the game.Felix takes us through his life growing up in South West London and describes how his story is forever punctuated and given meaning by cricket. Through his own exploits as a slow left arm spinner of 'lovely loopy stuff', to the tragic illness of his mother, life with The Maccabees and his cricket redemption, Felix touches on both the comedic and the tragic in equal measure. Throughout, there's the ever-present roller coaster of following the England cricket team. The exploits of Tufnell (another bowler of 'lovely loopy stuff'), Atherton, Hussain et al, are given extra import through the eyes of a cricket-obsessed youth. Felix meets them at each signposted moment to find out what was really behind those moments that gave cricket fans everywhere sporting memories that would last forever, sending the book into an exploration of grief, transgenerational displacement and how the people we've known and things we've loved culminate and take expression in our lives.It's Always Summer Somewhere is an incredibly honest detail of a life lived with cricket. It offers a sense of genuine empathy and understanding not just with cricket fans, but sports and music fans across the world, in articulating our reasons for pouring so much meaning into something that we simply cannot control. Culminating in the heart-stopping World Cup Final in 2019, the book finally answers that question fans have so often asked... what is it about this game?
£9.99
Reaktion Books Cricketing Lives: A Characterful History from
Book SynopsisCricket is defined by the characters who have played it, watched it, reported it, ruled upon it, ruined it and rejoiced in it. Humorous and deeply affectionate, Cricketing Lives tells the story of the world's greatest and most incomprehensible game through those who have shaped it, from the rustic contests of eighteenth-century England to the spectacle of the Indian Premier League. It's about W. G. Grace and his eye to his wallet; the invincible Viv Richards; and Sarah Taylor, 'the best wicketkeeper in the world . . . male or female'. Paying homage, too, to the game's great writers, Richard H. Thomas steers a course through the despair of war, tactical controversies and internecine politics, to reveal how cricket has always stormed back to warm our hearts as nothing else can.Trade Review'absorbing and entertaining . . . Thomas has done something unusual but actually very simple and effective. He tells cricket's long and involved history through some of the interesting and characterful men (and a few women) who have played the game at the highest level. It is at heart, a Brief Lives of Cricket - not a discrete series of character portraits but a continuous flowing narrative that hops from player to player with elegance and wit . . . In short, he knows his stuff . . . this is a very good cricketing history indeed, and highly recommended.' - Marcus Berkmann, The Spectator; 'In the unlikely event that you won't find any cricket to watch over the summer, this joyous book should fill a gap. Thomas, a journalism lecturer, concentrates on the game's rich tapestry of people and anecdotes . . . this book is a chance to feast not just on the heroics of Stokes and "Beefy" Botham, but the early days of cricket - Oliver Cromwell who liked it initially but later tried to ban it, Frederick, Prince of Wales, who died in 1751 after being hit by a ball . . . W. G. Grace and his eye for his wallet, the playboys and profligates, boozers and buccaneers between the wars, the brutality of Bodyline . . . you name it, it's all here. Terrific.' - Daily Mail; 'Richard H. Thomas offers all of cricket's history in his Cricketing Lives, and he has written the kind of book you'd love to settle down with on a winter's night as the wind blows outside, a warm and generous history that glows with love as well as learning . . . Thomas has a knack for finding the quote you've never read, the reference that sends you scuttling towards unfamiliar books.' - Wisden Cricket Monthly; '[an] entertaining collection of portraits of cricket's characters. . . So colourful and well told is this book, heavy on research but light in touch, that it should interest even those who find the game dull . . . The book will certainly appeal to those who love dipping into Great Lives and who already feel, with Douglas Jardine, the former England Captain, that cricket is "that beautiful, beautiful game that is battle and service and sport and art".' - The Critic; 'As with most things there are other ways of tackling a task and Richard Thomas has found a hugely entertaining way to present the enduring story of how our splendid game got to where it is today. He even manages, and fair play to him for this, to end on an upbeat note . . . The key to Thomas's success is in part the ability to tell a story well . . . but that ability is much enhanced by the depth of his knowledge.' - CricketWeb.net; 'It is likely that most ACS members will have on their shelves other books that cover most of the same ground. But there is a freshness to the telling of the familiar stories that makes this a hugely enjoyable take on cricket history and a compelling read to which I looked forward to returning each evening while preparing this review.' - Journal of the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians; 'What an enthralling voyage this book affords, with its vivid style and sequences of fascinating detail. Richard Thomas has created something unusually readable.' - David Frith, founding editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly; 'A wonderful read. Exhaustive and comprehensive as a reference tome, but also infused with a passion for the game and its players that distinguishes a mere cricketing aficionado from a true cricket lover.' - Phil Steele, BBC Sport; 'The game could wish for no more companiable host than Richard H. Thomas. This is a warm and welcoming amble through history, with a new story at every turn.' - Jon Hotten, Wisden Cricket Monthly
£12.34
Octopus Publishing Group The Cricket Puzzle Book: Brain-Teasing Puzzles,
Book SynopsisTest your cricket knowledge with this exciting collection of puzzles and triviaDiscover wordsearches, riddles, crosswords, spot-the-differences and much more in this fun-filled activity book for cricket lovers. Whether you're trying to match the pairs of batting gloves or discovering the longest and shortest test matches ever, this book is guaranteed to be a favourite for all who enjoy the game. Cricket fans love a bit of trivia, and this entertaining puzzle book is filled with all kinds of interesting facts, games and activities to whet your quizzing appetite. Put your knowledge to the test and wow your friends with your expertise. - Hone your puzzling skills by pitting your wits against challenges such as:- Locating the various batting strokes hidden in a wordsearch- Unscrambling the names of iconic international players- Spotting the differences between two scenes as a ball smashes into middle stump- Guessing who was the first player to reach 10,000 runs in test cricket, and other fascinating trivia
£6.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Nine Waves: The Extraordinary Story of How
Book SynopsisThe Nine Waves is a tour de force. The most entertaining and up-to-date history of Indian cricket ever published, it tells the story of the nine great waves of the game from 1932 to the present day. Each wave in Indian cricket was chock-full of mesmerising stars, thrilling moments, great victories, heartbreaking losses and significant turning points. The first wave of Indian cricket rolled in against the backdrop of momentous changes in the country and the world: Gandhi's civil disobedience campaign, World War Two and Indian independence. Through each of the waves, India strengthened its position in the cricketing firmament. By the end of the 20th century, it was the most powerful nation in world cricket. Award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author Mihir Bose brings together his first-hand experience of some of the most seminal moments in Indian cricket, his encyclopaedic knowledge of the game and his unrivalled ability as a chronicler of the sport to create a magisterial history of Indian cricket.Trade Review"Bose has been writing about cricket for nearly 50 years [and] has set himself a challenging task... Any discussion of India's dominance of modern cricket must include the IPl... [and] Bose neatly explains its beneficial effect." * Widen Almanack *
£16.99
Troubador Publishing The Meadow at Chapel Hill Cross
Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered what it must have been like to umpire a match in which the bowlers wore top hats, and gentlemen thought that wearing pads and gloves was beneath their dignity? 'The Meadow at Chapel Hill Cross' takes you back to the opening of the first “proper” cricket ground in Torquay, and to the match against the famous All England Eleven which celebrated it. The author dreams that he is asked to umpire this match, and takes the reader with him into a world of cunning under-arm bowlers, and round-arm pacemen who hurl “tosses” at the batsman’s head. You get to listen to the chat of some of the finest cricketers in the game’s history, Old Clarke, George Parr, and the laugh-a-minute Billy Buttress. Neither umpires, nor the world’s leading professionals, are allowed into the sanctity of the members’ pavilion, so the author must glimpse through the doorways, and spend his time, sharing jugs of ale with those who attracted thousands to watch, yet were deemed unworthy of a gentleman’s company. Welcome to a world of cricket where sheep crop the grass, the groundsman stamps the turfs, the fielders chase “booth balls”, and boundaries are not even dreamed of! It is a world which will fascinate you, and a journey that you will always remember!
£10.19
The History Press Ltd Tony Lock: Aggressive Master of Spin
Book SynopsisThe rollercoaster career of Tony Lock, extending over twenty-five years, is the saga of a resilient cricketer who triumphed over adversity.He was an inspirational figure in Surrey’s seven consecutive championship wins in the 1950s when he forged a feared spin partnership with Jim Laker for both club and country. Controversy stalked Lock as a bowler during his destructive rule with Surrey and England but the return to the orthodox style of his youth brought renewed acclaim. He rejoiced in another role as captain in reviving the fortunes of Leicestershire and Western Australia, where he led the state to victory in the Sheffield Shield.Tony Lock was, for a legion of admirers, an incorrigible showman, with boundless enthusiasm for the game. It was said of him, for instance, that when he appealed at the Oval, someone else was given out at Lord’s. Tony Lock: Aggressive Master of Spin is an engrossing study that reveals the paradox of a volatile and vulnerable man, but an astonishingly durable cricketer; his memory will endure.
£11.04
Great Northern Books Ltd Last Of The Summer Wickets: Tales from the
Book SynopsisThe day the county cricket fixtures are revealed each winter, hoteliers in Scarborough get ready for their phones to melt. The migration of cricket fans each August to the North Yorkshire coast has yet to feature in a nature documentary but county cricket by the seaside has been a Yorkshire institution since 1876. Be transported to one of Yorkshire's finest sporting amphitheatres. Enjoy tales from the game and town that will surprise and delight, like the time the PA system picked up a funeral during play or when Derek Randall gave Sarfraz Nawaz a wire rubbish bin to aid his ability to field. There are interviews with fans, players and coaches past and present and those who have been coming to Scarborough for up to 50 years. Read Geoffrey Boycott's last innings for Yorkshire in his own words, Ken Rutherford's 317 in a day recalled by the man himself and Jason Gillespie on his favourite Festival memories. John Fuller travels to the coastal town to find the characters and stories, watch Yorkshire in action and tap into Scarborough's enduring appeal.
£9.49
Trinorth Ltd Balls to Fly: Ricky Ellcock - an Autobiography
Book SynopsisWith a burgeoning reputation as one of the fastest bowlers in the land, Ellcock’s hopes of playing Test cricket for England were cruelly thwarted by injury. Plunged into depression and forced to pursue another career, a childhood interest in aviation was to be his salvation. Ellcock relocated to the USA and qualified as a commercial airline pilot, becoming the first black captain with Virgin Atlantic. Ellcock’s autobiography is unsparing and hard-hitting, revealing as it does a lifetime spent overcoming biases, prejudices and racism, not to mention being saved from death by receiving four life-saving brain operations in the space of eight weeks. Balls to Fly charts one man’s extraordinary story of determination, endeavour and resilience. The book is a fascinating journey through the ups and downs of Ellcock’s singular story, describing how • He used to be driven to school by the Prime Minister of Barbados • He rapidly went from bowling a cricket ball to his friends to earning a scholarship at one the UK’s most prestigious public schools at just 15 years of age • The reaction of county team-mates when he turned up to make his first-class cricket debut whilst wearing school uniform • The cruellest of luck with injury sabotaged his hopes of playing Test cricket for England • The dedication involved in retraining as an airline pilot and the pride in becoming Virgin Atlantic’s first black captain, as well as being in US airspace just before the 9/11 terrorist attacks • How he was saved from death by four brain operations within eight weeks • Biases, prejudices and racism, Ellcock is often excoriating and unflinchingly honest
£17.10
The Crowood Press Ltd The Fast Bowler's Bible
Book SynopsisThis fascinating book reveals the secrets of fast bowling and explains how it is possible to simultaneously bowl fast, straight and accurately. The Fast Bowler's Bible is a very practical, easily accessible bowling manual that any seam or swing bowler playing at any level can understand. It contains explosive new information being used by the world's best cricketers. Written by one of the world's best fast-bowling coaches. Well illustrated with sixty photographs and thirty-four diagrams and drawings. Explains what part of your body generates pace and why holding onto the ball longer is far more effective. Unravels the mysteries of advanced biomechanics as they apply to bowling. Reveals how to bowl crushingly effective bouncers and yorkers every time. Discusses what to do in practice and what to avoid. Analyses how to train and exercise in order to produce the best results. Illustrates all the correct grips for each delivery so that you get it right every time. Describes how to increase pace effortlessly, how to adopt the correct mental approach, how to deal with pressure, how to apply it to the opposition, and much more.Trade Review"I wish that I had met Ian Pont, the bowling coach, ten years before I did... Ian is an expert in his field and has got some excellent ideas on how to engineer a bowling action." Ronnie Irani, Essex and England
£12.34
Hardie Grant Books Sultan: A Memoir
Book SynopsisSultan is the official biography of Wasim Akram, the "sultan of swing", one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket. For twenty years, Wasim Akram let his cricket do the talking – his electrifying left-arm pace, his explosive left-handed striking, his leadership and his inspiration. For another twenty years he kept his own counsel about those days, full of drama, controversy and even mystery, in a country, Pakistan, that to outsiders is a constant enigma. Until now. Sultan tells the story of cricket’s greatest left-arm bowler, and one of its greatest survivors, who was chosen from the streets of Lahore and groomed by Imran Khan to become champion of the world – man of the match in the final of the 1992 World Cup. Along the way were unforgettable rivalries with the greatest of his time, from Viv Richards and Ian Botham to Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. Along the way, too, a backdrop of conspiracy and intrigue over ball tampering and match fixing about which Wasim finally sets the story straight. But there’s more: Sultan goes frankly into the crumbling and rebuilding of Wasim’s private life, marred by the tragedy of his first wife’s death and the torment of addiction. The result is an unprecedented insight into the life of a cricketer who revolutionised the game with his speed and swing, and a patriot buoyed and burdened by the expectation of one of the game’s most fanatical publics. Trade Review'He is a giant of our game.' – Pat Cummins 'Not only a great bloke but probably the greatest left arm quick the cricket world has seen.' – Allan Border 'Wasim Akram is one of the true greats of world cricket.' – Mitchell Starc 'History will judge him as one of the finest fast bowlers the game has produced.' – Steve Waugh 'Wasim ranks among those at the very top of cricket.' – Anil Kumble 'He was the most brilliant, inventive left-arm fast bowler the game as known.' – Mike Atherton 'I’m often asked ‘what is your all-time greatest team?’ I start with Akram and go from there.' – David Lloyd 'Wasim and Lancashire is a long love affair. Teammates loved him; supporters loved him. He loved them back. Our games were never over until Wasim had bowled his last ball.' – Neil Fairbrother 'Wasim was one of the greatest fast bowlers I have ever seen – a fantastic all rounder – one of the all-time greats.' – Nasser Hussain 'Great cricketers still marvel at the wonder of Wasim.' – Alan Wilkins 'Easily one of the most skilful bowlers I have played against and a tough competitor.' – Rahul Dravid 'Wasim was a master. He made the ball talk.' – Sachin Tendulkar
£17.09
Vintage Publishing The Judge: More Than Just a Game
Book Synopsis* SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS *Robin Smith was one of England's most popular cricketers of the 1990s. The Judge, as he was known to all, took on some of the most dangerous fast bowlers of all time with a skill and fearlessness that ensured hero status. His savage square cut drew roars of approval from fans all around the world, especially those of his beloved England and Hampshire. But when he was prematurely dumped from the England set-up at the age of 32, he had to face his toughest opponent of all - himself. Smith suffered a debilitating loss of identity, especially when he retired from professional cricket in 2003, and struggled to deal with the contradictions in his personality. Was he the Judge, the fearless warrior, or Robin Smith, the frantic worrier? Without a support structure to transition from cricket to the outside world, Smith suffered from mental health, alcohol, marital and financial problems until he hit rock bottom and planned to take his own life. In The Judge - More than Just a Game, he revisits his experience of extreme darkness and challenges received wisdom about masculinity and mental health. He also shares the many highs and lows of his eventful international and county career, including his exhilarating battles with the West Indies and his struggles against mystery spin. And he reflects fondly on a time when cricketers worked hard and partied even harder; a time almost unrecognisable to the modern day.Trade ReviewA fine sports autobiography. It is candid and moving without being mawkish or forgetting its readers will also primarily be cricket fans * Daily Telegraph *An incredibly moving yet uplifting account of his career of high achievement and fall to the depths of mental illness * Daily Mail *A profoundly moving book * Guardian *Robin Smith is one of the most-loved cricketers of his era… [The Judge] documents his time in the game, as well as the harrowing struggles he suffered when the eyes went, the runs stopped, and real life intruded. Recommended * Wisden Cricket Monthly *This is an engaging, but often uncomfortable read which explains why it’s a contender for sports book of the year * UK Press Syndication *
£9.99
Quarto Publishing PLC Bodyline Autopsy: The Full Story of the Most
Book SynopsisIn 1932, England's cricket team, led by the haughty Douglas Jardine, had the fastest bowler in the world: Harold Larwood. Australia boasted the most prolific batsman the game had ever seen: the young Don Bradman. He had to be stopped. The leg-side bouncer onslaught inflicted by Larwood and Bill Voce, with a ring of fieldsmen waiting for catches, caused an outrage that reverberated to the back of the stands and into the highest levels of government. Bodyline, as this infamous technique came to be known, was repugnant to the majority of cricket-lovers. It was also potentially lethal - one bowl fracturing the skull of Australian wicketkeeper Bert Oldfield - and the technique was outlawed in 1934. After the death of Don Bradman in 2001, one of the most controversial events in cricketing history - the Bodyline technique - finally slid out of living memory. Over seventy years on, the 1932-33 Ashes series remains the most notorious in the history of Test cricket between Australia and England. David Frith's gripping narrative has been acclaimed as the definitive book on the whole saga: superbly researched and replete with anecdotes, Bodyline Autopsy is a masterly anatomy of one of the most remarkable sporting scandals.Trade Review'A brilliant book...it goes a long way to being the definitive tome on the subject. Outstandingly researched and extremely well written.' -- David Llewellyn Independent 'In David Frith's Bodyline Autopsy, we relive the crisis of 1932-33 that almost split the Empire...the well-sketched heroes and villains stand out in Frith's history; who says cricket is for gentlemen?' The Times 'Frith's account is packed with fascinating detail and anecdote. His description of the Test matches could hardly be more gripping.' -- Leo McKinstry Sunday Telegraph
£17.85
Pitch Publishing Ltd All Wickets Great and Small: In Search of
Book SynopsisNowt stops for cricket in Yorkshire. Passion runs deep, beyond those in whites, to the groundsmen, tea ladies, scorers and umpires who embody the game. All Wickets Great and Small is a romp across the landscape of amateur cricket in Yorkshire during the summer of 2015. Author John Fuller looks at the key issues affecting the grassroots game: the struggles to attract players, funding shortages, natural disasters and the social dynamics that can threaten a captain's eleven on a Saturday. What shape is the grassroots game in and can it still survive and thrive? From vicars and imams socking sixes in Dewsbury to heritage clubs hitting social media out of the park, this is the story of sleeves-rolled-up cricket at its best in the county that locals call 'God's own'.
£9.49
The History Press Ltd Not Out at Close of Play: A Life in Cricket
Book SynopsisYou could argue that Dennis Amiss’ seven-decade cricket career started the day he was born, when his parents named him after not one but two celebrated cricketers.Or maybe it started when he was 7, sneaking into the Birmingham Cooperative Society to play a few matches with his friends – as long as they avoided the groundskeeper!Or perhaps it was on 7 April 1958; not only his fifteenth birthday, but also his first day as a professional cricketer.Whatever day you start on, there’s no denying that Amiss has had an extraordinary career. He is one of England’s cricketing greats, with 100 first-class hundreds to his name and a place as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year. Hugely well-respected on and off the pitch, he didn’t shy away from controversy, taking part in the 1982 ‘Rebel Tour’ of Apartheid South Africa, and somehow ending up in the midst of the battle between World Series Cricket and the England Cricket Board.Not Out at Close of Play is the story of how passion, commitment and practice – and no small amount of stubbornness! – took a boy from the backstreets of Birmingham to worldwide cricket stardom.Trade ReviewDennis was not only one of the finest batsmen of his generation, he was a cricket innovator and influencer who then also went on to become a very successful administrator at the highest levels of the game. He has been a huge influence on the direction of my own career and I am extremely grateful to him for all of his support. -- Ashley Giles MBE MSDDennis is a Warwickshire legend on and off the field. One of best batters of his generation, he set the standard for players to follow. He was a hero of mine growing up and now I have the pleasure of calling him my friend. -- Ian Bell MBE
£11.69
Dialogue On Cricket
Book SynopsisSir Trevor McDonald is one of Britain''s most celebrated broadcasters and his devotion for cricket is almost as well-known as his legendary professional achievements.In this inspirational memoir, On Cricket, Sir Trevor explores his childhood in the Caribbean and celebrates his life-long love of the sport that followed him no matter where in the world his illustrious journalistic career would take him.Sir Trevor offers a wide-ranging commentary on cricket as a common language between England, the West Indies and beyond - a sense of belonging that knows no borders - and celebrates cricket as an engine of national identity and an essential feature of daily life and community.An exceptional storyteller and commentator, On Cricket is a love letter to the sport and a study of Sir Trevor''s oldest and most consistent passion: watching, debating and playing the gentleman''s game.
£17.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Bazball
Book SynopsisA TIMES, GUARDIAN, TELEGRAPH AND WATERSTONES BEST SPORT BOOK OF THE YEARGripping' Roger Alton, Sunday TimesThe inside story of how England transformed the way Test cricket is played.For 145 years, Test cricket had been played mainly in one way, but the old ways weren't working. After one win in 17 by the start of the summer of 2022, England needed something new.Then came Bazball', driven by new head coach Brendon (Baz') McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. They embarked on a brand of Test cricket that breathed life into an ailing format, breaking records as they began by winning 11 out 13 games. The once rudderless and ridiculed England Test team soon became cricket's most talked-about phenomenon.Told via a mixture of interviews with the protagonists and ringside reporting, Bazball is an unmissable read, marking one of the most thrilling revolutions in any sport. Updated to include E
£10.44
Simon & Schuster Ltd Last in the Tin Bath
Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM CRICKET'S HUGELY POPULAR COMMENTATOR With his infectious enthusiasm for the game, David 'Bumble' Lloyd blends immense knowledge and experience with an eye for the quirky detail and an unending fund of brilliant stories. This definitive autobiography recalls his childhood in Accrington, Lancashire, when, after a long day playing cricket in the street, he would get his chance to wash himself in his family's bath - but only after his parents and uncle had taken their turn first. From being last in the tin bath, he moved on to make his debut for Lancashire while still in his teens, eventually earning an England call-up, when he had to face the pace of Lillee and Thomson - with painful and eye-watering consequences. After retiring as a player, he became an umpire and then England coach during the 1990s, before eventually turning to commentary with Sky Sports. After spendin
£8.54
Ebury Publishing Fatty Batter
Book SynopsisMichael Simkins was born in 1957 and spent his childhood in a sweetshop in Brighton. In 1966 he saw his first cricket match on the TV, and from that moment he was hooked.When he hasn't been playing, watching or dreaming about cricket, Michael has spent his time acting. He has appeared in countless plays and musicals in the west end, most recently as Billy Flynn in Chicago, and also features regularly on TV and the silver screen, usually playing unsuspecting husbands, police sergeants or experts. He lives with his wife, the actress Julia Deakin, in north-west London, and still plays cricket to a worryingly low standard all over the Southern Counties.Trade ReviewOnce you've read this account of one man's love affair with cricket, you'll never want to read another ghosted autobiography by a Pietersen or a Vaughan again - incompetence and failure is far more fun -- Michael AthertonAn instant classic -- Stephen FryThe childhood recollections, suffused with warmth and spangled with pain and humour, are the book's unique selling point. Lovely stuff * Daily Telegraph *Simmo may be a shockingly average amateur cricketer, but when it comes to self- deprecating wit and telling a good anecdote, he's as sprightly as Garry Sobers in his prime ... anecdotes and quirky characters hurtle down at us like yorkers bowled by a fast bowler that I'm not quite knowledgeable enough to name ... an entertaining read indeed * Sunday Times *Michael writes about disaster, humiliation, rejection and ridicule - the hilarious truth -- Nicholas Hytner
£15.29
Little, Brown Book Group Berkmanns Cricketing Miscellany
Book SynopsisMarcus Berkmann, author of the cricket classics Rain Men and Zimmer Men, returns to the great game with this irresistible miscellany of cricketing trivia, stories and more fascinating facts than Geoffrey Boycott could shake a stick of rhubarb at. Which England captain smoked two million cigarettes in his lifetime? Which Australian captain, asked what his favourite animal was, said ''Merv Hughes''? What did Hitler think of cricket? Which National Hunt trainer had a dog called Sobers? Who was described in his obituary as ''perhaps the only unequivocally popular man in Yorkshire''?No other sport is so steeped in oddness and eccentricity. There''s the only Test player ever to be executed for murder, the only first-class cricketer to die on the Titanic, and the only bestselling author to catch fire while playing at Lord''s. (It was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The ball hit a box of matches in his pocket.) All cricket is here, including an XI entirely made up of plTrade ReviewRather like your perfect cricket tea, comes Marcus Berkmann's fabulous book: well, not so much a book, more an Aladdin's cave of trivia, quizzes Test match reports and some of the best writing about cricket and cricketers you will find . . . full of the kit you have always wanted and stuff you never knew you had. Carry this with you at all times to the match, any match, in case of that dreaded rain break . . . There are riches on every page . . . go and buy this magical book. It's almost as much fun as scoring a century. Almost * Daily Mail *An alternative Wisden, and the perfect thing to have in your kit bag for when rajn stops play * The Bookseller *Fantastic stories * Radio Times *This is charming stuff from a writer who has not lost a certain boyish delight in the game or its myths and legends, but he varies the light with some sensitively drawn shade . . . the book serves as a wonderful prop for woollen jumper wearers this summer as they wait for yet another rain delay to pass * The Times *Berkmann brings the dogged romanticism of the village green to this hugely enjoyable smorgasbord of gossip, anecdote and celebration of the sport's legends * Sunday Times *Anyone with the slightest knowledge of the game is likely to find Berkmann's Cricketing Miscellany extremely funny. The book has a confident, but slightly eccentric organisation, giving it the dreamy atmosphere of a sun-dazed game at one of the more beautiful venues * Country Life *A crickipedia! Marcus Berkmann has stories about them all . . . I suspect we shall all be giving one another this book for Christmas * Mail on Sunday *The essential Christmas gift for all cricket-lovers * Spectator *A delightful assemblage of pearls of wisdom and trivia * Sunday Times *Like your best-ever cricket tea, this wonderful book is jam-packed with treats and goodies, trivia, quotes, cartoons and fabulous fun-filled facts about the summer game. The perfect companion to help while away these winter nights . . . The whole thing is magical * Daily Mail *
£10.44
Running Press Mini Howzat Cricket Kit
Book SynopsisSimple to master and great fun to play, Howzat! is the cricket dice game that can be played anytime, anywhere! - One-of-a-kind components: Includes metal dice, rolling mat, and scorepad- Miniature book: A 32-page informative mini book includes cricket trivia and the rules of the game - Portable: Ideal for travel or at the office- Perfect gift: A fun gift item for frustrated cricketers of all ages
£8.97
Headline Publishing Group Firestarter
Book SynopsisBen Stokes is not cast in the same mould as the vast majority of English cricketers. Fiery, combative, gladiatorial - he plays the game hard and with great gusto. He is an all-rounder who bats, bowls and fields at full throttle.Some opponents feel threatened by his physical stature and aggressive brand of cricket. Stokes simply doesn''t back down, smashing the next ball for six, bowling his 90 mph chin music, or taking a breathtakingly full-stretch catch at backward point.Whether it''s thrashing the fastest ever Test century at Lord''s or the quickest ever Test double-hundred by an Englishman (against South Africa at Cape Town, in January) or destroying the Australian batting at Trent Bridge, Stokes plays the game he loves with his heart on his sleeve and with 100% effort and commitment. Cricket fans adore him for it.His very first book focuses on the pivotal moments in his life and career so far. These episodes are vibrant, emotional, poignant - revealing th
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Playing It My Way
Book Synopsis''I don''t think anyone, apart from Don Bradman, is in the same class as Sachin Tendulkar.'' -Shane WarneReaders are in love with Sachin Tendulkar''s autobiography: ''A must read for anyone who knows cricket'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''An idol . . . An inspiration'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''A great book by one of the all time greats'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Brings back so many wonderful memories''⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''This book has made me feel proud to be a lover of the game and has inspired me to succeed in everything I do.'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The story of the greatest cricket player of all time, told in his own words. __________The greatest run-scorer in the history of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013 after an astonishing 24 years at the top. The most celebrated Indian cricketer of all time, hTrade Reviewit's a gem in the way it captures the moment - Sydney Morning Heraldthere's a lot of emotion in here, from start to finish - Launceston Examiner
£12.34
Quercus Publishing One Long and Beautiful Summer: A Short Elegy For
Book Synopsis*A MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING SPORTS WRITER*'Hamilton's book is a marvel . . . I'm not sure he could write a dull sentence if he tried' Spectator One of Duncan Hamilton's favourite writers on cricket, Edmund Blunden, wrote how he felt going to watch a game: 'You arrive early, earlier even than you meant . . . and you feel a little guilty at the thought of the day you propose to give up to sheer luxury'.Following Neville Cardus's assertion that 'there can be no summer in this land without cricket', Hamilton plotted the games he would see in 2019 and write down reflectively on some of the cricket that blessed his own sight. It would be captured in the context of the coming season in case subsequent summers and the imminent arrival of The Hundred made that impossible. He would write in the belief that after this season the game might never be quite the same again.He visits Welbeck Colliery Cricket Club to see Nottinghamshire play Hampshire at the tiny ground of Sookholme, gifted to the club by a local philanthropist who takes money on the gate; his village team at Menston in Yorkshire; the county ground at Hove; watches Ben Stokes's heroics at Headingley, marvels at Jofra Archer's gift of speed in a Second XI fixture for Sussex against Gloucestershire in front of 74 people and three well-behaved dogs; and realises when he reaches the last afternoon of the final county match of the season at Taunton, 'How blessed I am to have been born here. How I never want to live anywhere else. How much I love cricket.'One Long and Beautiful Summer forms a companion volume to Hamilton's 2009 classic, A Last English Summer. It is sports writing at its most accomplished and evocative, confirming his reputation as the finest contemporary chronicler of the game. Trade ReviewDuncan Hamilton has written some of the best books about sport in recent years. All lovers of cricket will love this book. You could say that Hamilton has done it again. -- Michael Henderson, on The Great Romantic * The Cricketer *Brilliantly expresses the passion that millions like him, in pursuit of happiness and belonging, feel for the beautiful game. Simply magnificent -- on Going to the Match * Mail on Sunday *Hamilton is a worthy biographer -- on The Great Romantic * The Times *A wonderfully languorous piece of time travel back to the so-called Golden Age of cricket -- on The Great Romantic * Guardian *Hamilton has achieved the difficult task of humanising an icon while clearing the rubbish away from his plinth -- on The Great Romantic * The Hindu *Duncan Hamilton is already a multiple award-winning sports writer, but it is hard to imagine he will write a better book than this superb, elegiac portrait of . . . Cardus -- on The Great Romantic * Daily Mail *Rich in observation * The Cricketer *
£10.44
Ebury Publishing The Periodic Table of CRICKET
Book SynopsisWelcome to The Periodic Table of Cricket. Here you'll find the essential elements - batsmen and bowlers past and present - that have left a lasting legacy on this great sport.As with chemical elements, these international personalities have been arranged based on their characteristics in and out of play. Instead of metals and non-metals, here we have patient and determined defensive players, from Jack Hobbs to Hanif Mohammad and Alastair Cook transitioning to fast-paced and attacking players including Shane Warne, Fred Trueman and 'white lightning' Allan Donald with a whole host of others in between.See how the best international players stack up against each other in this original guide to cricket.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Gunner: My Life in Cricket
Book SynopsisGunner: My Life in Cricket is the revealing and absorbing autobiography of Ian Gould, the former England cricketer who became one of the best umpires in the world. During a 13-year career as an elite umpire, 'Gunner' was centre stage for some of the biggest controversies in world cricket, including the infamous 'sandpaper' Test in 2018. As a former international, he appreciated the pressures players were under and formed a rapport with some of cricket's biggest stars, although he always had the integrity of the game at heart. In this candid story of his life in cricket, he is refreshingly honest about the characters and controversies, and he opens up about his battle with depression, after the introduction of DRS technology made the pressure on him intolerable. There are colourful tales too from his days as a player and coach with England, Middlesex and Sussex, and about how he nearly became a professional footballer instead of a cricketer. This included a stint at Arsenal which earned him the nickname 'Gunner'.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Corner of Every Foreign Field: Cricket's
Book SynopsisA Corner of Every Foreign Field is an innovative and thought-provoking take on the history of cricket, looking beyond the scorecards to the pivotal issues of class, politics and imperialism that have shaped the game today. It charts how cricket has vied with football for power, commercial muscle and global reach, growing from a simple boys' game in England to a modern worldwide sport. In exploring cricket's evolution, Tim Brooks calls on the views and anecdotes of greats like W. G. Grace, Don Bradman, Viv Richards and Virat Kohli. Along the way, he peers deep into the game's soul and poses questions on behalf of every cricket fan. Is cricket truly global? Why did the game take root in some countries but not in others? What are the threats and opportunities for the sport? Who are the next cricket superpowers? How do you strike a balance between honouring tradition and reforming to capture the imagination of future generations? Written by an expert in the global development of cricket, the book sets out a unique vision for the future.Trade Review"As histories of the game go A Corner of Every Foreign Field has a number of advantages. First of all it is just about as up to date as it can be. Perhaps more important however is the simple fact that it is well written and avoids the standard cliches. The book should appeal to anyone with an interest in cricket history, even those, like this reviewer, who fondly believe that they already know a thing or two about that particular subject. In short it is well worth investing in, and is highly recommended." -- Martin Chandler * CricketWeb.net *
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd If Not Me; Who?: The Story of Tony Greig, the
Book SynopsisIn March 1977, England cricket captain Tony Greig was arguably the most famous and popular sportsman in the country, and the best all-rounder in world cricket. He had recently led England to a famous series victory in India, her first successful campaign on the subcontinent since the Second World War. Then he had conjured a doughty performance from his travel-weary troops in the dramatic, one-off Centenary Test in Melbourne, narrowly losing by 45 runs. Within weeks, though, his reputation was in tatters. He was branded a traitor and mercenary, stripped of the England captaincy and excluded from the national side. He was also relieved of the Sussex captaincy and banned from first-class cricket for eight weeks. His involvement in the controversial 'Packer Revolution' had caused his fall from grace. Soon afterwards, he left England for good for a commentary career in Australia. At 6ft 7in, Greig was a giant of the game both figuratively and literally. His life story is every bit as fascinating as the controversy that engulfed him.
£16.99
Michael O'Mara Books Ltd The Wicked Wit of Cricket
Book SynopsisWelcome to The Wicked Wit of Cricket, a compendium packed with the game’s greatest stories from both on and off the field. ‘The English,’ as George Bernard Shaw once remarked, ‘are not very spiritual people, so they invented cricket to give them some idea of eternity.’ Some might call it eternity. Others might instead regard it as heaven. The world of cricket is nevertheless one that is filled with larger than life characters – be they the great players, the unforgettable commentators, the legendary umpires or the most enthusiastic and barmiest fans. The contest between leather and willow is, after all, only challenged by soccer as the world's most popular sport.The Wicket Wit of Cricket is a sumptuous feast of cricket’s greatest tales, legends and anecdotes all spread out across the clubhouse table in bite-sized pieces. Bringing together the sport’s most famous quips, insults, pranks, mishaps, incredible facts, outrageous incidents, plus all those great moments of commentary where the words did not come out quite as intended. This is a book packed not just with wicked wit but with wicket wit as well!
£10.44
Pitch Publishing Ltd Of Battenberg; Bombay and Blag: Tales of a Club
Book SynopsisOf Battenberg, Bombay and Blag is a blood, sweat and beers switch hit across the decades with first-hand accounts and opinion pieces on club cricket, Test matches, the Hundred and IPL. With a decade of club cricket under his belt, Vic Mills heads to Australia in search of adventure only to suffer a severe bout of sledging, but he is one of the few to witness World Series Cricket. With Bodyline almost forgotten, he turns out for the Bar & Bench of Melbourne, the Gentlemen of Ballarat and (his only cap) an Australian Embassy XI in Manila. Chaos ensues in the 1980s as he blags his way into Test grounds around Australia with a building industry union card doubling as a press pass. In the 1990s, he becomes a reluctant reporter, accredited to cricket's press corps courtesy of the Times of India and Jakarta Post. Fast forward to 2009 and Vic is the driving force behind Project Front Foot, a decade-long venture to create a cricket academy for the children of South Asia's largest slum. Today, the project supports refugee cricketers in Europe.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Deadly
Book SynopsisDerek Underwood was one of Kent and England's finest-ever slow bowlers. In this first-ever biography of Underwood, Mark Peel assesses the qualities that made him such a formidable bowler, the reasons behind his signing for Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket and the England rebel tour of South Africa in 1982, plus much more.
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Club
Book SynopsisThe Club uncovers the fascinating history of cricket's world governing body as it evolved from the Imperial Cricket Council, established in 1909 to bring together the major cricket-playing countries of the Empire, into the ICC, a multi-billion-dollar business dominated by the Indian Board of Control and its allies.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Maestro
£24.00
Pitch Publishing Ltd Stars on Sunday
£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers Remarkable Village Cricket Grounds
Book SynopsisFollowing the success of Remarkable Cricket Grounds, author Brian Levison focuses his attention on the amazing variety of grassroots cricket venues throughout the British Isles. In the original book he covered some of the largest stadia where cricket is played throughout the world. In Remarkable Village Cricket Grounds he concentrates on the smallest. The inventory of beautiful and atmospheric grounds includes those played by the seaside, at the edge of moorland, in front of grand country houses or on wind-blasted hillsides. Village cricket is played next to windmills, thatched cottages, trout streams, in the heart of Cotswold stone hamlets, and on many of the country's verdant village greens. There are some classic cricketing pubs included along with lavish teas, ancient pitch rollers, equally ancient club secretaries and a variety of warning signs for those wishing to park their car within slogging distance. Almost all of the venues are located in the kind of set-piece British landscape that will have the tourist boards begging for copies. It is a treasury of British life featuring clubs from: Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Wiltshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Essex, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Northumberland, Leicestershire, Wales and Scotland.Trade Review'[T]his beautiful book showing some of the finest grounds in the country.' * This England *
£999.99
Great Northern Books Ltd The Yorkshire County Cricket Yearbook 2024
Book SynopsisThe Official Yearbook of The Yorkshire County Cricket ClubBeautifully bound 126th edition. Full of features, facts, figures and fixtures. Includes the Northern Diamonds.
£16.99
