Cricket Books
Fairfield Books Sense of Humour, Sense of Justice
Book SynopsisIn this highly entertaining book Fred Rumsey looks back on an eventful life, in which he opened the bowling for England in five Tests, single-handedly advanced the idea of a Professional Cricketers’ Association, pioneered the development of public relations in cricket, played a leading role in the expansion of the Lord’s Taverners and developed cricket and football tournaments in the Caribbean. There is fun aplenty, as befits one who was a friend of comedians Eric Morecambe and Dave Allen, but there is also a sense of social purpose, to be found not only in the years when he took on cricket’s establishment but in his long service to the charity work of the Lord’s Taverners and his close bond with the anti-apartheid South African journalist Donald Woods. From the poignancy of his description of an East End childhood during the Blitz to the wonderfully funny tale of his sharing a hotel room with Geoffrey Boycott, 'Sense of Humour, Sense of Justice' is full of delights – with insights into a rich array of characters, among them David Gower, Bobby Moore, David Frost and his great mate Colin Milburn.
£15.20
HarperCollins India The Great Indian Cricket Circus: Amazing Facts,
Book SynopsisSupremely entertaining, and full of bewildering events, surprising anecdotes and cool facts compiled together in wacky, interesting ways, this is the perfect book for fans of the sport, trivia lovers or anyone looking for entertainment!
£16.12
Aleph Book Company THE NINE WAVES: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF INDIAN
Book SynopsisThe Nine Waves is a comprehensive history of Indian cricket, detailing the nine waves of success from 1932 to Virat Kohli's team today. It covers iconic moments, victories, and players, showcasing India's rise to cricketing superpower status with a billion-strong fan base.
£28.49
The History Press Ltd Crazy
Book SynopsisPaperback edition of the autobiography of an English cricketing star whose life was turned upside down when he turned to crime
£9.49
Elliott & Thompson Limited Full Circle
Book SynopsisFull Circle: A History of Cricket
£20.00
Trinorth Ltd Blood on the Tracks
Book SynopsisBlood on the Tracks tells the thrilling and brutal story of the 1974/75 Ashes series.
£19.80
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Chasing Jessop
£10.44
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
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
Little, Brown Book Group Ball of the Century
£21.25
Simon & Schuster Ltd First of the Summer Wine
Book SynopsisThe remarkable story of three Yorkshire cricketers from the Golden Age - George Hirst, Wilfred Rhodes and Schofield Haigh - who transformed their county's fortunes, inspired a generation of cricketers and left a unique legacy on the game. Between them, Hirst, Rhodes and Haigh scored over 77,000 runs and took almost 9000 wickets in a combined 2500 appearances, helping Yorkshire to seven County Championship triumphs. The records they set will never be beaten, yet the three men - known throughout England as The Triumvirate - were born in two small villages just outside Huddersfield, in Last of the Summer Wine country. Hirst pioneered and perfected the art of swing and seam bowling, Rhodes took more first-class wickets than anyone else in history, while the genial Haigh's achievements as a bowler at Yorkshire have been surpassed only by his two close friends; their influence would extend far beyond England, as they all went to India toTrade Review'Hirst and Rhodes were aristocrats by acclamation, not birthright; known everywhere and worshipped in God’s Own County for what they could do with a cricket ball. In this wistful paean, Pearson...knits all these achievements together with lovely turns of phrase - "they batted on a wicket so amiable it practically chortled" - and colourful descriptions of fringe characters.' -- Patrick Kidd * The Times *'It takes a particular worldview, and glorious skill, to set up and write a biography in the way that Harry Pearson writes this one... A masterpiece of observation and comic timing.. Yorkshire is much more than a backdrop to the tale. It comes alive with meaning. In striving for the human qualities of cricketing gods, he's managed to do something new with a familiar place and a familiar story.' -- Jon Hotten * Wisden Cricket Monthly *'[An] engrossing study of the three players who did most to transform Yorkshire from a bunch of dissolutes to the most successful county team of the early 20th century. Pearson successfully knits together their careers to give a fresh perspective.' -- David Hopps * The Cricketer *
£16.00
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.
£10.44
Methuen Publishing Ltd Brian Close Crickets Lionheart
Book Synopsis
£18.04
Hodder & Stoughton My Sporting Life
Book Synopsis''Like my father before me, I believe that both the playing and watching of sport can teach us important lessons about ourselves by providing practical instruction in co-operation, tests of resolve and temper''Michael Parkinson was destined to spend his life in sport. Introduced at a young age to cricket and football by his father, he rose through the ranks of Barnsley cricket alongside Dickie Bird and Geoffrey Boycott. But while they went on to find fame on the field, he found a career watching, writing and talking about sport.My Sporting Life is Sir Michael''s love letter to sport, to the heroes and legends of his Yorkshire youth, to the characters of the international games he watched and wrote about, and to the very idea of sport itself. With warm, humorous anecdotes about many icons of sport, from Shane Warne to George Best and Muhammad Ali to Fred Trueman, Sir Michael Parkinson reflects on his life writing about his one great passion.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR MICHAEL PARKISON:A lovely kind of nostalgia, which colourises the black and white of yesteryear * The Oldie Review *He writes about them all with wonderful precision and a powerful evocation * Radio Times *A quietly impressive book, which does something most celebrity autobiographies shy away from: it seeks the truth and, more often than not, finds it * Mail, on Like Father, Like Son *A joyous, breezy read . . . It is also beautifully written * Daily Telegraph on Parky *Funny and self-deprecating and just as laid-back as he is on camera * Independent on Parky *Engrossing and entertaining * Irish Time on Parky *
£10.44
Trinorth Ltd Golden Summers: Personal reflections from
Book SynopsisEvery cricket lover, for better or worse, has their year. The year it all fell into place or all fell apart. A year of triumph or disaster; of tragedy or comedy. This being cricket, there’s normally a bit of everything. Covering 50 different seasons, from 1934 right up to the weird summer of 2020, a series of journalists, poets, musicians, comedians, and ex-players – plus the odd England captain – have come together to produce a collection of personal essays, using the game of cricket as the backdrop to tell the story of their own Golden Summers. 50 voices for 50 years: each one delving into the year that means the most to them. This is Golden Summers.
£17.10
Hodder & Stoughton My A-Z of Cricket: A personal celebration of our glorious game
Legendary cricket broadcaster Henry Blofeld takes the reader on a journey from A-Z through the world of cricket. In his trademark charming style, Blowers goes through the alphabet, explaining some of the puzzling cricket terminology and regaling his favourite anecdotes from his fifty years in the sport, covering the most important moments in the sport's history as well as the most entertaining and amusing. The book will also contain a glossary for those who want to make sure they know their googlys from their bouncers. This gift book is perfect for fans of cricket who want to understand the sport from Henry's unique point of view, it is a humorous and entertaining jaunt through the cricket landscape.
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd We Rode All Night
£13.49
Trinorth Ltd Sticky Dogs and Stardust: When the Legends Played
Book SynopsisThe golden age of this type of story has now passed. The reasons are obvious. Chief among them is the earning power of top players, both from central contracts and on the franchise Twenty20 circuit, as well as the fact that international and franchise schedules increasingly impinge upon the UK summer. These stories are not entirely obsolete, however, although they will most often involve players taking their first steps on the road to superstardom, future stars before they became household names. Then there are players in the twilight of their careers, if not former stars then certainly with their highest peaks behind them. And between the springtime baby steps and the autumnal last knockings, there are a clutch of chapters involving cricketers in their high-summer pomp, living legends treading the league cricket boards. These magical stories are unique to cricket. And yet no one has collected them in one place. Until now.
£18.00
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 *'This book, indispensable to any serious cricket lover, is an important work of scholarly synthesis which establishes Wilde as one of our foremost cricket historians.' -- Peter Oborne * The Spectator *'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 *
£18.75
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Cricket
Book SynopsisKnow the Game Cricket is the perfect introduction to thesport for all ages, whether you are a keen club player or beginner. Itis packed with expert text, clear illustrations and photographs of theprofessionals in action.The book includes: Playing the game: how to play cricket, the rules, positions on the pitch, how to score The laws of the game: from scoring to umpiring Equipment and pitch: how to choose a bat, positioning of fielders, the wicket The skills: step-by-step guide to all the basic skills, including batting, bowling, wicket keeping and fielding. The Know the Game series is firmly established as thedefinitive introduction to a wide range of sports and games. Written bythe experts, you can be sure that they contain everything you need toknow to take part.
£9.49
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
£16.14
Vintage Publishing Jack Hobbs
Book SynopsisThe astonishing feats of Sir Jack Hobbs continue to resonate more than a century after he first played Test cricket. During his long career that stretched from the age of W.G. Grace to the era of Don Bradman, he scored more first-class runs and centuries than any player. Even today, he remains England''s greatest run maker in Ashes Tests. He changed the art of batting with his elegant style, and transformed the status of professional cricketers through the strength of his personality.Born into poverty, Hobbs rose to have a central role in some of Test cricket''s most explosive series, but not without controversy and dispute. At last here is a comprehensive biography of Hobbs, giving us fresh insights into every aspect of his story.SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2012 CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR.Trade ReviewLeo McKinstry has written an intelligent, straightforward account of Hobbs, both as man and as cricketer -- Robert Cheshire * Literary Review *This learned and wide-ranging book skilfully recreates a vanished world and resuscitates the reputation of one who might well be England's greatest cricketer -- Marcus Berkman * Daily Mail *McKinstry captures the spirit of this thoroughly decent man, and also the spirit of the age where he dominated -- Michael Henderson * Spectator *Magnificent... A tender and intriguing picture of the man -- Michael Simkins * Mail on Sunday *It makes for excellent social history... McKinstry does an excellent job, recounting Hobb's exploits with impressive thoroughness -- Simon Wilde * Sunday Times *
£15.29
Headline Publishing Group A Lot of Hard Yakka
Book SynopsisWinner of the William Hill Sports Book of the YearTrade ReviewYou won't read a better inside story of cricket and the men who play it for a living. Vigorous, funny and full of insight from a gifted observer. It was a book waiting to be written and Simon Hughes has done it. * Michael Parkinson *Terrific. * Harold Pinter *A devastating account of English cricket and its shortcomings... The book describes the shocking lack of ambition, dedication, coaching and leadership in English cricket. * Mike Brearley, Observer *A brilliant commentary on the life of a county cricketer. * Mike Selvey, Guardian *You will never read a better book about the bizarre circus known as county cricket ... a very funny, often outrageous book. * Ian Wooldridge, Daily Mail *Hughes may never have scaled the heights as a cricketer, but he has become a wonderful writer on the sport ... gaspingly candid ... One thing is clear from this book - he had a really good time. So will anyone sensible enough to read it. * Marcus Berkmann, Daily Telegraph *Sharp and funny ... his book sails neatly between self-glorification and self-pity and lays bare the real truth of the athlete: a dark life of angst and self-doubt lit by sudden piercing shafts of transcendent adequacy. * Simon Barnes, The Times *May be the first cricketer's autobiography ever to tell it like it is, from dressing-room to bedroom ... Hughes is rivetingly unguarded. * Tim de Lisle, Wisden Cricket Monthly *As life-lived-through-sport, it is pure Hornby ... The book that cricket needed. * Simon Wilde, The Times *
£10.44
The History Press Ltd Durham County Cricket Club 100 Greats
Book SynopsisA history of Durham County Cricket Club
£11.69
Von Krumm Publishing In Tandem Crickets Great Pace Pairs
Book Synopsis
£15.30
Austin Macauley Publishers Greatest Teams and Greatest Players A History of
Book Synopsis
£17.09
Fairfield Books Yes ... No ... Wait ... Sorry!: A Cricket Quiz
Book SynopsisTest your knowledge of cricket over a wide range of topics: not only run outs and centuries but also cricketers who share their names with film stars and animals - everything from 'Tipping the Scales' to 'Holy Orders'. There are 18 picture rounds - memorable moments of cricket history and images of celebrity cricketers - and 16 rounds where well-known cricketers have set questions about themselves. Perfect rain break reading - full of fun and quirkiness! All proceeds are being donated to the Professional Cricketers' Association's Trust.
£11.79
Allen & Unwin A Beautiful Game: My love affair with cricket
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE CROSS BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2017WINNER OF THE MCC/CRICKET SOCIETY'S BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2017Mark Nicholas, the face of Channel 5's Cricket on Five and anchor for Channel 9's Test commentary team in Australia, has a unique knowledge and perspective on the world of cricket. As both a former player and now a professional observer and commentator on the game, he knows all the key figures of the sport and has witnessed first-hand some of cricket's greatest moments. His book is a personal account of the game as he's seen and experienced it across the globe. From epic test matches and titans of the game like Lara, Warne and Tendulkar, to his own childhood love for the sport, Mark gives us his informed, personal and fascinating views on cricket - the world's other beautiful game.Trade ReviewMark Nicholas...captures the magic of top-flight cricket in this likeable memoir. * Sunday Telegraph *[H]ugely enjoyable... Nicholas has done a huge service to a game already in his debt. He helped to lift English cricket out of the sporting gloom of the late 1990s; and now he has chronicled his era as if he were one of us. For that, every cricket nut, English or otherwise, should be immensely grateful. * Independent *Mark Nicholas has written a fascinating and engaging account of his life in cricket, firstly as a player and latterly as a commentator. This is an immensely readable but far from lightweight book, packed with anecdote, opinion and - a valuable gift - empathy... he is an elegant, enthusiastic observer of the game and this book, and indeed his life in cricket, deserves plaudits. * ESPN Cricinfo *A typically entertaining collection of thoughts, opinions and memories from inside the soul of the game we love. -- Sir Ian BothamEvery chapter is interesting in its own way. I didn't always agree with him but that's not the point. The point is that I wanted to read on. -- Geoffrey BoycottMark Nicholas has been at the centre of the game as a player, writer, commentator and analyst for years. Very few have ever equalled his passion, perception, knowledge of the game and matchless ability to communicate it with wit, charm and flawless fluency. All these qualities and more have flowered in A Beautiful Game. -- Stephen FryA brilliant broadcaster with a wonderful knowledge of the game and, above all, an infectious passion for cricket. -- Shane WarneThe thing about Mark is his uniquely positive take on cricket. He conveys the message that the game may not be easy but it's sure worthwhile. His book is the same, a celebration. -- Alastair CookMark Nicholas is a master with words, both written and spoken. His positivity is what separates him from others and it's what shines through in this book. -- Sunil GavaskarVision, knowledge, enthusiasm: three of the attributes that give Mark authority and respect. This book reflects his passion for the game and his ability to tell the stories that make it so special. A great read. -- Michael VaughanTop class from first to last. -- Sir Michael ParkinsonQuite possibly the best cricket book you will ever read - a masterpiece. -- Mike ProcterWhether writing or commentating, Mark has always been able to take us inside the game. If I was buying one cricket book this year, it would A Beautiful Game -- Wasim Akramthis is indeed a beautiful book. It is the memoir of a complex and fascinating man much more interesting and nuanced than the sporting celebrity with whom most of us are familiar... a gifted writer who possesses not only an uncanny eye for the game but for humanity in general. * The Australian *
£12.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd Then Came Massacre: The Extraordinary Story of
Book SynopsisSussex and England superstar Maurice Tate's story is one of triumph and fame, controversy and tragedy. In the 1920s and 1930s, the all-rounder was the world's most popular cricketer, famed for his brilliant bowling and broad smile - unlike his infamous cricketing father, whose costly error he more than repaid. In his day, Tate's enormous feet were the subject of a music-hall song, his extra pace considered 'magical'; he's now recognised as the first proper 'seam' bowler. He took almost 2800 first-class wickets and thrilled crowds with rapid-fire sixes and centuries. But along the way he suffered a nervous breakdown at the Bodyline series, and threw beer over Douglas Jardine. After a bitter sacking by Sussex, he became a pub landlord and died in poverty. Recently voted Sussex's greatest ever player, Tate doesn't figure in any more widespread Hall of Fame. It's time to remember this forgotten great of England cricket.
£8.54
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 Cricketing Caesar: A Biography of Mike Brearley
Book SynopsisMike Brearley was one of England's greatest cricket captains. He thrice won the Ashes, including the unforgettable series of 1981, when his leadership helped England to snatch victory from defeat. Yet there was nothing inevitable about his rise. A spell out of the game in his mid-20s stymied his progress and when he returned full-time to captain Middlesex, his innovative approach found little favour with the old guard. In this first-ever biography of Brearley, award-winning cricket writer Mark Peel reveals how Brearley overcame his critics to lead Middlesex to four county championships and two Gillette Cup wins. His rise to the England captaincy was fast, but his unrivalled leadership skills contrasted with his repeated failures with the bat. Away from cricket, Brearley possessed a range of cultural interests along with a sharp intellect, which saw him achieve eminence as a psychoanalyst. Drawing on interviews with friends and team-mates, Peel assesses the many facets of this complex man to explain his phenomenal success as a leader.
£16.99
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
Bonnier Books Ltd The Book of Fred: Funny anecdotes and hilarious
Book SynopsisThis is not a book of life lessons. But Freddie Flintoff has had a moment to reflect and he's noticed that throughout his four decades, although there's been little method in the madness, there has been the occasional common thread.The Book of Fred is filled with anecdotes, observations and the odd opinion all told with Fred's trademark humour and no-nonsense style. Fred's approach to life draws on the sublime (his series winning performance in the 2005 Ashes) and the ridiculous (singing Elvis Presley's 'Suspicious Minds' in front of a live audience), from highs (making the transition to top TV presenter) to occasional lows (accidentally upsetting the lovely Bruce Forsyth), from the profane (discussing Shane Warne's barnet with Hollywood royalty) to the profound (why 'having a go' leads to self-respect).Throughout, Fred shares his code for success, happiness and a life fully lived - and gives his readers a laugh, some joy, and (the occasional) pause for thought along the way.
£10.44
Troubador Publishing When Cricket and Politics Collided: 1968 – 1970
Book SynopsisWhen Cricket and Politics Collided describes one of the most extraordinary periods in the history of English cricket. A meeting on 27 August 1968 to select the players for a MCC winter tour of South Africa started a chain of events which would shake the very foundations of the cricket establishment. Over the next two years tours were cancelled, another abandoned and finally one of the founding Test playing nations banned from international cricket for over twenty years. Remarkably during this upheaval, and at very short notice, two replacement Test series were played. The first between between Pakistan and England, took place in a country where law and order were disintigrating and as a result the tour schedule was changing on an almost daily basis. The players were under enormous stress, their safety genuinely at risk, and even the country’s President would soon be deposed. The second, pitted England against the Rest of the World, opponents that many considered to be the strongest ever assembled for an international match. These two series produced some of the most exciting cricket of the period, and yet both are now largely forgotten.
£10.44
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Troubled Tour: South Africa in England 1960
Book SynopsisThe South African tour of England in 1960 was far from ordinary. The Springboks, under captain Jackie McGlew - and with fine players like Roy McLean, Hugh Tayfield and Neil Adcock - arrived full of confidence, but that confidence was quickly shaken. The tour began a few weeks after the Sharpeville massacre of April that year, and the cricket took place just as the world was waking up to the evils of apartheid. Then there was the 'no-balling' of Geoff Griffin, a controversy that had a great deal more to it than met the eye, revealing the sometimes unfortunate intervention of administrators into umpiring decisions. It may also have decided the series, for England won rather easily, but this of course was the era of the great English bowlers Brian Statham and Fred Trueman. All this took place before the all-seeing eyes of the new medium of television, and it was one of the first tours to be featured in detail on BBC TV. The Troubled Tour leaves no stone unturned to bring you the full story of that extraordinary tour.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Black Swan Summer: The Improbable Story of
Book SynopsisBlack Swan Summer tells the extraordinary story of Western Australia's first season of Sheffield Shield cricket, when an unheralded group of unknown, unfashionable and inexperienced players won Australian cricket's biggest prize at their first attempt. But it's more than just a story of an upset result in a cricket competition. It's a chronicle of the summer in which Don Bradman scored his 100th century, India toured Australia for the first time and the country plunged into political turmoil - which not everyone noticed, because they were at the cricket. The book explains the connections between men who returned from war to play cricket, the fear of communism, Mahatma Gandhi, rationing, Keith Miller, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, Ray Lindwall's back foot and a boxer called the Alabama Kid. Drawing on the personal reminiscences of the last three surviving cricketers from the 1947/48 season, it brings that hot, wet summer vividly to life.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Cotton; Cricket and Football: Billy Cook, the
Book SynopsisCotton, Cricket and Football: Billy Cook, the Life of a Lancashire League Legend is the colourful story of one of Lancashire’s greatest sportsmen of the pre-war era, told from the perspective of his daughter, a mill-worker in Burnley. Billy Cook played cricket in the golden era of ‘Gentlemen and Players’ but he was no gentleman. He played to win and he played for money – the money generated by the cotton mills of Lancashire. Billy played with and against some of the legends of the time, including Syd Barnes, Archie MacLaren and Learie Constantine. In the winter he was a hard-tackling full-back for Oldham Athletic, who achieved national notoriety for his win-at-all-costs approach to the game. Billy’s sporting career was interrupted by his service on the Western Front, where he narrowly avoided death. He returned to the Lancashire League to set records that still stand today. Cook was the archetypal hard-nosed professional, who entertained the working men of Lancashire for more than 30 years.Trade Review"There are a number of strands to Cook’s life that contribute to the story that Kaye has to tell...outside the mainstream of cricket literature Cotton, Cricket and Football works on every one of the many levels of the lives of Billy Cook and his contemporaries that it explores, and it is highly recommended." -- Martin Chandler * CricketWeb.net *"This is a very worthwhile book.. Besides Barnes, Cook played with other greats of the era, particularly Learie Constatine and Archie MacLaren, which encounters add considerably to the whole." * Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians *
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Faces on a Wall
Book SynopsisThe faces on a wall' in this book are Northamptonshire's captains since 1878, whose portraits appear together in the pavilion at Wantage Road. An astonishingly diverse bunch, they represent the changing face of the county game over the past century and a half.As cricketers, they range from cheerfully hopeless to solidly competent, to world-beating. As characters they are an astoundingly varied group, encompassing a peer who went bankrupt, the husband of a famous artist's favourite model, an England football international, an outstanding bowler (but with woods and jack), a gallant leader who died on active service, the man who revitalised both Northamptonshire and England teams after the Second World War and the shrewd skipper described by Mike Selvey as the best county leader of his time.This book reflects the unique flavour of county cricket and the remarkable assortment of individuals who have led Northamptonshire over nearly a century and a half.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd From Azeem to Ashes
Book Synopsis From Azeem to Ashes charts the last, miserable days of Joe Root''s captaincy in early 2022 through to the T20 World Cup victory before the breathless Bazball Ashes finale at the Oval. It''s a book written for cricket lovers by a cricket lover, with voices from clubs, the boardroom and the commentary box.September 2020: cricket is in the headlines for the first time since the 2005 Ashes. But the focus is racism, not runs or wickets. Azeem Rafiq''s treatment has ignited fierce debate about prejudice and class.The book never ducks uncomfortable questions posed by the Rafiq affair. Why do England''s cricket teams - men''s and women''s - look so unlike the nation they represent? How can grassroots participation be developed and preserved? In the franchise-driven, global circus of modern cricket, what place is there for Tests - or even 50-over games?From Azeem to Ashes takes a hard-nosed but affectionate and humorous look at cricket. It''s a book
£13.49
The History Press Ltd An Island's Eleven: The Story of Sri Lankan
Book Synopsis‘This is a great tale, and what’s more, it’s beautifully told.’ – Simon BarnesFrom Sathasivam to Sangakkara, Murali to Malinga, Sri Lanka can lay claim to some of the world’s most remarkable cricketers – larger-than-life characters who thumbed convention and played the game their own way. This is the land of pint-sized, swashbuckling batsmen, on-the-fly innovators and contorted, cryptic spinners. More so than anywhere else in the world, Sri Lankan cricket has an identity: cricket is Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka is cricket.We all know the story of the 1996 World Cup: how a team of unfancied amateurs rose from obscurity and changed the way the game was played. Yet the lore of Sri Lankan cricket stretches back much further, from early matches between colonists and locals, and Ashes-bound ships bringing in cricket’s biggest stars, to the more recent triumphs and tragedies that stem from cash flowing freely into the game. An Island’s Eleven tells this story in full for the first time, focusing on the characters and moments that have shaped the game forever.Trade ReviewNicholas Brookes has filled a gap in cricket literature. This wonderful book, based on compendious research, tells the great story of Sri Lankan cricket, how it began in schools and colleges and emerged to become one of the great forces in world cricket. It is more than a cricket book: it is also indispensable for understanding Sri Lanka itself. This book should be in the library of every serious cricket lover. It has been written with real passion and understanding. A great debut from a serious sports historian. -- Peter OborneThis is a great tale, and what’s more, it’s beautifully told. -- Simon Barnes
£17.00
Pitch Publishing Ltd Something Changed
Book SynopsisThrough the prism of cricket and the transformative year of 1981, Ben Dobson explores how sport and popular culture can influence as well as reflect society. Taking an innovative approach, he considers the remarkable synergies between two of the era's most iconic figures Margaret Thatcher and Ian Botham.From the author of the widely acclaimed Too Good to be Forgotten: Three Wise Men from Football's Golden Era.This compelling book: Examines the role sport plays in the mood of the nation and wider society Revisits the 1970s and 1980s eras of English cricket, and particularly the transformational summer of 1981 Brings to life a fascinating period in the evolution of Britain's politics and culture Tells the tale of two cultural giants one political, the other a sporting icon Ian Botham and Margaret Thatcher and the intriguing parallels in their careers, fortunes, fundamental beliefs and how their character traits and achievements would impact the future of Britain and its people Shows how those times are mirrored in Britain's current political landscape and national mood, giving the book a modern resonance This engrossing book is a must-read for all cricket fans and anyone interested in social history. Journey back to a time when cricket helped shape our future.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd An American Cricket Odyssey
Book SynopsisThis is the story of US cricket in the 21st century, a game that was once a proud part of American sports, lost its way and is now returning. Along the way we meet its players, movers, shakers, dreamers and schemers, its romantic souls and lost causes and, as the sport and nation stand at a crossroads, we look at what lies ahead.
£21.25
Atlantic Books Moeen
Book SynopsisShortlisted for The Telegraph's Sports Book Awards - Autobiography of the Year, 2019Longlisted for the Specsavers National Book AwardsOne of the Daily Mail's and the Observer's Books of the Year, 2018The match-winning superstar of the England cricket team finally shares his remarkable personal story in this eagerly-awaited autobiography.Moeen traces his journey from backyard cricket to the county game and his first-class debut as a teenager, through to his international debut at the relatively late age of 27 and the golden summer of 2017, when he was anointed Player of the Series against South Africa with thousands of England fans chanting his name.But cricket is just one part of Moeen's life. His upbringing in the tough Sparkhill neighbourhood of Birmingham and the awakening at eighteen that led him to become a devout Muslim have given him a social conscience unusual for an elite athlete but have also attracted controversy. Here, for the first time, Moeen tells his side of the story.Talented, tenacious and thoughtful, Moeen Ali is a true all-rounder.
£10.44
Great Northern Books Ltd The Yorkshire County Cricket Yearbook
£16.99
Fairfield Books Being Geoffrey Boycott
Book SynopsisGeoffrey Boycott is undoubtedly one of England’s greatest ever batsmen. Playing 108 Test matches between 1964 and 1982, the hugely controversial opener scored a then record 8,114 runs at 47.72 – the highest completed average of any English player since 1970 – against some of the greatest bowlers the world has ever seen. When the first lockdown came, finding himself without cricket for the first time in his life, Geoffrey Boycott sat down and began to write a retrospective warts-and-all diary of each of his Test match appearances. It is illuminating and unsparing, characterised by Boycott’s astonishing memory, famous forthrightness and unvarnished, sometimes lacerating, honesty. That 100,000 word document forms the basis for Being Geoffrey Boycott, a device that takes the reader inside Geoffrey’s head and back through cricket history, presenting a unique portrait of the internal and external forces that compelled him from a pit village in Yorkshire to the pinnacle of the world game. Now 81 and still one of the most recognisable cricketers England has ever produced, Boycott has teamed up with award-winning author Jon Hotten in this catalogue of his tumultuous time with the national side. Dropped for scoring a slow double hundred, making himself unavailable to play for England for several years, captain for eight seasons of a group of strong, stroppy and extremely talented players at Yorkshire, bringing up his hundredth hundred at Headingley against the Old Enemy, seeing David Gower and Ian Botham emerge as future greats, playing under Mike Brearley in the 1981 Ashes, in this enlightening book Boycott reveals a host of never-before-heard details regarding his peers and his playing days.
£22.50
Bloomsbury India The Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story
Book SynopsisFrom his cricket debuts in 2007 and 2013 respectively, Rohit Gurunath Sharma has grown to be one of the vital pillars of the Indian cricket team. A modern-day entertainer who refused to compromise his approach to batting, his contribution to India''s domination in one-day cricket and victories in the Premier League is indisputable. This is the story of his journey, of the years of hard work and the confidence that has allowed him to keep his place in the team--and his amazing capacity to come up with big scores. His combination of aggression and caution, his lazy elegance and his deadly shots have brought a whiff of fresh air to the cricket field.
£17.50
Juggernaut Publication A Cop in Cricket
Book SynopsisIn this book, Neeraj Kumar, one of India's most well-respected and accomplished police officers a former BCCI anti-corruption chief takes us inside the seamy world of corruption in cricket. What one encounters is an ungentlemanly game of cops and robbers: swindlers who cheat young players while the BCCI looks the other way, sham matches held just for the sake of betting and top administrators who care more for commerce than the integrity of the sport.
£17.99
Canoe Press The First West Indies Cricket Tour: Canada and
Book SynopsisThe West Indies Cricket Team, formed in 1884, made its first overseas tour two years later to Canada and the United States. The tourists played thirteen matches during August and September; they won six, lost five and two were drawn. The first match was played against the Montreal Cricket Club, 16-17 August 1886. It ended in a draw after which the West Indians moved on to Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton.They arrived in the United States to play several matches in Philadelphia where the cricket culture was well established. Local clubs proved too strong an opposition for the tourists. The press was encouraging but made it clear that the islanders were out of their depth. It was an important tour for the first West Indians cricketers. It was the first international step in an apprenticeship that lasted decades. The English decided, finally, to host the West Indians in 1900. This book speaks to the Canadian and American beginning of the West Indian cricket culture that was to emerge a century later as the most powerful performance force the game had ever seen.
£28.46
