Cricket Books

Book SynopsisThe quintessentially English cricket commentator, writer, oenophile, bon viveur, collector and national treasure, fondly known as Blowers, tells his riveting life story.Born in Norfolk and educated at Eton and Cambridge, Henry Calthorpe Blofeld OBE, nicknamed Blowers by the late Brian Johnston, is best known as a cricket commentator for Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. His distinctively rich, cut glass voice and his vividly eccentric observations of life on and off the pitch, have made him a household name, not only in Britain but around the world, wherever cricket is played. Blowers has been close the the heart of the game for over fifty years and his career has taken him to the far corners of the earth. This autobiography, stuffed to the gunwhales with delicious anecdotes, brings his astonishingly colourful story bang up to date.Trade Review‘Blowers is the master of “painting a picture” … An irresistible adventure, a tribute to optimism, fine living and good friends’ Independent ‘No one knows or cares more about radio or can write about it with such wit, love and grace’ Stephen Fry

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Book SynopsisThe Wisden Book of Test Cricket, first published in 1979, is well established as an invaluable and unique source of reference essential to any cricket library. This new volume includes full scorecards and match reports from 1877 to 1977.

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Book SynopsisSamir Chopra is an immigrant, a voluntary exile, who discovers he can tell the story of his life through cricket, a game that has long been an influencereally, an obsessionfor him. In so doing, he reveals how his changing views on the sport mirror his journey of self-discovery. In The Evolution of a Cricket Fan, Chopra is thus able to reflect on his changing perceptions of self, and of the nations and cultures that have shaped his identity, politics, displacement, and fandom.Chopra's passion for the sport began as a child, when he rooted for Pakistan and against his native India. When he migrated, he became a fan of the Indian team that gave him a sense of home among the various cultures he encountered in North America and Australia. This shapeshifting exposes the rift between the Old and the New world, which Chopra acknowledges is cricket's greatest modern crisis. But it also illuminates the identity dilemmas of post-colonial immigrants in the Indian diaspora. Chopra's thoughts abou

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Book SynopsisSamir Chopra is an immigrant, a voluntary exile, who discovers he can tell the story of his life through cricket, a game that has long been an influencereally, an obsessionfor him. In so doing, he reveals how his changing views on the sport mirror his journey of self-discovery. In The Evolution of a Cricket Fan, Chopra is thus able to reflect on his changing perceptions of self, and of the nations and cultures that have shaped his identity, politics, displacement, and fandom.Chopra's passion for the sport began as a child, when he rooted for Pakistan and against his native India. When he migrated, he became a fan of the Indian team that gave him a sense of home among the various cultures he encountered in North America and Australia. This shapeshifting exposes the rift between the Old and the New world, which Chopra acknowledges is cricket's greatest modern crisis. But it also illuminates the identity dilemmas of post-colonial immigrants in the Indian diaspora. Chopra's thoughts abou

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Book Synopsis'Wonderfully entertaining' Mail on Sunday; Profoundly important' Guardian Graeme Fowler - former England cricketer, happy-go-lucky joker and inspirational coach - was 47 when depression struck. Suddenly one of the most active men you'd ever meet couldn't even get up off the sofa to make a cup of tea. In Absolutely Foxed, a cricket memoir like no other, Fowler takes the reader on a vivid ride, with riotous stories of life on England tours, partying with Ian Botham and Elton John, combined with a moving account of his battle with mental-health issues, Seen by many as a maverick, happy-go-lucky figure, Fowler became a hugely influential coach, and is one of the most original thinkers about the game. He's battled and won against the best spinners in India, and the fastest bowlers from the West Indies - he's even found himself at the centre of a tabloid storm.  Fowler looks back over hiTrade Review'This is no normal sporting autobiography... Frenetic, challenging and wonderfully entertaining' -- Michael Simkins * Mail on Sunday *'An excellent read but more importantly a profoundly important thought-provoking one that deserves to be read beyond the cricket world' -- Mike Selvey * Guardian *'Absolutely Foxed tackles the subject of Fowler's depression unflinchingly... Trenchant and poignant, Fowler's memoir is also very funny' -- Alan Gardner * Cricinfo *'Fowler's uproarious new book Absolutely Foxed tells the eventful and colourful tale of one of the most singular, funny and fascinating men in English cricket' -- Paul Newman * Daily Mail *'Inspirational read, some great thoughts on the game and an insight into a top, top man' -- Matt Maynard'This will be the cricket book of the year. A book that takes you to the boundaries of emotions at times, it is brilliantly written and totally engages the reader... This book will make you laugh, it will make you cry' -- Dan Whiting * The Middle Stump *'A very honest, thought-provoking autobiography. It's a must-read' David Lloyd, Daily Mail -- David Lloyd * Daily Mail *'Brilliant on cricket...excellent on the clinical depression' * Mail on Sunday *‘A moving, candid account. Fowler…has always been an independent, lateral thinker about the game. He still is.’ -- Vic Marks * Observer *‘Graeme Fowler writes with an engaging honesty about his battle with depression’ -- Suresh Menon * The Hindu *

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Book Synopsis'[An] honest and courageous book' Mike Brearley 'Engrossing...it looks back and thinks ahead, jumps between wit and woe' Lawrence Booth, Mail on Sunday Following the critical and commercial success of Absolutely Foxed, Graeme Fowler returns with a stunning new book that takes the reader inside the mental side of cricket.  Few sports can be played as much in the mind as cricket. When bowlers are hurling the ball down at your head at 90 mph, or fielders are crowded round the bat waiting to snap up an edge, only the most resilient can thrive. In Mind Over Batter, former Test batsman, commentator and coach Fowler looks into all facets of the game to assess the mental aspect of cricket. What is mental strength? And how can you improve it, or why do some people suddenly lose it? Can the environment in a dressing room have any impact on both mental strength and mental health? When Trade Review'Engrossing...it looks back and thinks ahead, jumps between wit and woe' -- Lawrence Booth * Mail on Sunday *'Unlike so many autobiographies, there's humour and genuine insight... For a former Test opener, Fowler is not afraid to play his shots.' -- Huw Turbervill * Cricketer *

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Book SynopsisPhil Tufnell, cricket legend and national treasure, has populated his very own Cricket Hall of Fame with a deliciously eclectic collection of cricket legends and offbeat characters, with joyful results.From boyhood heroes, to legendary team-mates, to fearsome opponents, to idiosyncratic umpires and broadcasters, Tuffers has gathered together the most enchanting cast of cricketing figures every assembled.And it wouldn''t be a Tuffers tome if there weren''t a number of captivating appearances from some unexpected quarters, including some genuinely off-the-wall, non-cricketing inductees to keep life interesting in this very personal Hall of Fame.By turns eccentric and warm-hearted, Tuffers'' Cricket Hall of Fame is a joy for all cricket fans.

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Book SynopsisA tribute to Richie Benaud and a celebration of his life.Remembering Richie is a compilation of the very best writing from Richie''s books, along with the best tributes and obituaries from those who knew and worked with him. As a player, Richie was one of the greatest of cricket''s all-rounders. As a commentator and thinker on the game he became the leading figure of his generation. As a man he was revered by cricket''s multitude of followers and as a friend he was both loved and admired by his close circle of friends.This celebratory book brings together the best of Richie''s writing on a range of subjects from his love of cricket as a child to his all time XIs; from his thoughts on T20 to insight into his family life, along with his most loved sayings and best known pieces of commentary. All perfectly complemented with tributes from his friends and colleagues.Trade ReviewRemembering Richie Benaud collects plenty of well selected excerpts from his own various memoirs - Sunday AgeRemembering Richie is a celebration of the life of one of Australia's cricket icons - SA Life

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Book SynopsisMore than fifty years after the publication of C. L. R. James's classic Beyond a Boundary, the contributors to Marxism, Colonialism, and Cricket investigate its production and reception and its implication for debates about sports, gender, aesthetics, race, popular culture, politics, imperialism, and Caribbean and English identity.Trade Review"Impressively, the authors are respectful of James’ pivotal contribution to the Marxist analysis of sport but also explore aspects of his thought that fall short of a fully comprehensive materialist approach." -- Sean Ledwith * Marx & Philosophy Review of Books *"Marxism, Colonialism, and Cricket will likely be most appealing to specialists in British Caribbean cultural studies, and will also contribute to scholarly explorations of sport. Recommended. Researchers, faculty, and professionals." -- B. A. Lucero * Choice *"A fine and comprehensive attempt to reflect on the work of James . . . Represents the fluency of much of James’s writing and oratory as a charismatic speaker and public intellectual who sought to place himself at the forefront of public discussion. . . . Many will glean much pleasure and stimulation from a study of this text." -- Russell Holden * Nordic Sports Forum *"The most outstanding sports book of 2019, to date. . . . What the editors David Featherstone, Chistopher Gair, Christian Høgsberg and Andrew Smith have achieved is truly special mixing James’ personal and political lifestory, the context of cricket in the West Indies, the past, present and future of cricket writing. Superb, just the read whilst that old imperial encounter, The Ashes, seeks to nudge the Premier League’s off season from the back pages this sporting summer." -- Mark Perryman * Philosophy Football *“The collection takes us well beyond the boundaries of sport, of history, of politics, and of the auto/biographical self. . . . The collection is a vital contribution to and extension of our studies of, readings of, and deployment of [C.L.R.] James in sport and beyond. It is essential in grasping the limits and potentials of what remains a key text in the historical, cultural, and sociological analyses of sport.” -- Malcolm MacLean * Journal of Sport History *“Marxism, Colonialism, and Cricket is a major literary and intellectual accomplishment. It is a must read, and a timely reminder that the problem of the twentieth century has returned with a vengeance as the problem of the twenty-first century.” -- Leslie R. James * CLR James Journal *“I enjoyed this book immensely. I have indulged in reading it cover to cover; revisiting certain chapters and ideas, seeking clarity as my mind became cloudy. … Putting Beyond a Boundary at the core, this book epitomises the interdisciplinary application of James to fields as diverse as sport, sociology, cultural studies, history, literature and the arts.” -- Thomas Fletcher * Cultural Sociology *"This fine collection of essays and reflections makes a significant contribution to the existing literature on Beyond a Boundary and C.L.R. James more generally." -- Neil Lazarus * New West Indian Guide *Table of ContentsForeword. Opening Up / David Featherstone, Christopher Gair, Christian Høgsbjerg, and Andrew Smith vii Introduction. Beyond a Boundary at Fifty / David Featherstone, Christopher Gair, Christian Høgsbjerg, and Andrew Smith 1 Part I: Cricket, Empire, and the Caribbean 1. C. L. R. James: Plumbing His Caribbean Roots / Selwyn R. Cudjoe 35 2. C. L. R. James's "British Civilization"? Exploring the "Dark Unfathomed Caves" of Beyond a Boundary / Christian Høgsbjerg 51 3. The Boundaries of Publication: The Making of Beyond a Boundary / Roy McCree 72 4. "West Indian Through and Through, and Very British": C. L. R. James's Beyond a Boundary, Coloniality, and Theorizing Caribbean Independence / Minkah Makalani 88 5. Looking Beyond the Boundary, or Bondmen without the Bat: Modernism and Culture in the Worldview of C. L. R. James / David Austin 103 Part II. The Politics of Representation in Beyond a Boundary 6. "Periodically I Pondered over It": Reading he Absence/Presence of Women in Beyond a Boundary / Anima Adjepong 123 7. C. L. R. James, W. G. Grace, and the Representative Claim / Neil Washbourne 137 8. Shannonism: Learie Constantine and the Origins of C. L. R. James's Worrell Captaincy Campaign of 1959–60: A Preliminary Assessment / Clem Seecharan 153 Part III: Art, History, and Culture in C. L. R. James 9. C. L. R. James and the Arts of Beyond a Boundary: Literary Lessons, Cricketing Aesthetics, and World-Historical Heroes / Claire Westall 173 10. The Very Stuff of Human Life: C. L. R. James on Cricket, History, and Human Nature / Andrew Smith 191 11. C. L. R. James: Beyond the Boundaries of Culture / Paget Henry 204 Part IV: Reflections 12. Socrates and C. L. R. James / Michael Brearley 223 13. My Journey to James: Cricket, Caribbean Identity, and Cricket Writing / Hilary McD. Beckles 240 14. Confronting Imperial Boundaries / Selma James 254 Appendix. What Do They Know of England? / C. L. R. James 263 References 276 Contributors 283 Index 287

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Book SynopsisWith the striking success of Shane Warne and Abdul Qadir in modern Test cricket, wrist-spin bowling is definitely back in fashion. In this fully illustrated and readable book, Peter Philpott shows players and coaches at all levels how to acquire the skills of this highly dexterous style of bowling. Areas include: the basic techniques covered step by step; solving bowling problems; how to bat against wrist-spin; mental and physical preparation for matches and the tactics to use. There is a Foreword by Keith Andrew

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Book Synopsis'excellent . . . covers every aspect of wicket keeping clearly and accurately' – Callum Morin, wicketkeeper at Hadleigh Cricket Club Whether a player or a coach, this is the ultimate guide to developing the skills required to make it as a top-level wicket keeper. In the most comprehensive book on wicket keeping on the market, James Knott and Andrew O’Connor provide detailed and easy-to-understand insights into all aspects of wicket keeping, whether you are a player or coach, and no matter your level. With contributions from some of the game's great players and coaches, including Alan Knott, Jack Russell, Peter Moores and David Ripley, this invaluable guide includes over 65 training drills, a unique 'training on your own' section, and provides clear guidance for coaches who aren’t wicket keepers themselves. Clear, insightful and easy to follow, this is an essential guide for improving your game or your coaching methods.Trade Review'This book will take you through step by step everything you require to be a top wicket keeper and coach in the amazing world of wicket keeping' -- Kevin Innes, Academy Director, Northants CCC'An excellent guide for wicket-keepers and coaches alike – full of key details across all aspects of a keeper’s role and very easy to read' -- Richard Hudson, Managing Director, Buckinghamshire Cricket Board'A proper insight into the life of the modern-day wicketkeeper. The mix of experienced review and coaching drills offers the reader a real opportunity to realise his/her potential in a number of ways' -- Jonny Cater, Oxfordshire CCC Captain'excellent . . . covers every aspect of wicket keeping clearly and accurately' -- Callum Morin, wicketkeeper at Hadleigh Cricket Club'A fantastically detailed & clear look into the art of wicketkeeping' -- Phil Arnold, Stowe 1st XI Cricket Coach'In the most comprehensive book on wicketkeeping on the market, James Knott and Andrew O'Connor provide detailed and easy-to-understand insights into all aspects of wicket keeping, whether you are a player or coach, and no matter your level . . . Clear, insightful and easy to follow, this is an essential guide for improving your game or your coaching methods' * Cricket World *'clubs, schools and universities could all do with stocking this in their changing rooms' -- Ivo Tennant * The Cricketer *

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Book SynopsisThe first Indian to score five double centuries in Test Cricket, each of those scores higher than the previous one; the first Indian to score centuries in four consecutive Test innings; the first non-wicketkeeper in Test history to take 200 catches; the first batsman in Test history to score a century in every Test-playing nation of his time; one of the greatest match-winners of all time, and now, the coach of the Indian Under-19 team which won the World Cup!

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Book SynopsisThe indispensable pocket guide to the cricket season.The 77th edition of the Playfair Cricket Annual is packed with all the information you need to follow the cricket season in 2024, as well as a review of events during the previous twelve months.Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Australia will all be touring England this coming summer, and here you''ll find comprehensive Test match and limited-overs records and career records to help you follow the action.County cricket is covered in unrivalled depth, with biographies of all players registered to the counties at the start of the season, full coverage of last summer''s events and a fixture list for all major domestic matches in 2024.There are also sections on women''s cricket and the major domestic T20 competitions from around the world, including The Hundred.For any cricket fan, the season is never complete without a copy of Playfair to guide you through it all.

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