*Standard hardback edition*The most famous sports book in the world, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has been published every year since 1864. Home to some of the finest sports writing of the year, in this edition: Gideon Haigh reflects on the latest Australia v India series, Scyld Berry pays tribute to James Anderson, following his retirement, and Derek Underwood and Graham Thorpe are remembered by Mike Brearley and Alec Stewart – their former Test captains and friends. Wisden also considers cricket’s deepening reliance on artificial intelligence, and whether the game can ever thrive in the USA.As usual, Wisden includes the thought-provoking Notes by the Editor, the Cricketers of the Year awards, and the authoritative obituaries. There are reports and scorecards for every Test, together with forthright opinion, compelling features and comprehensive records.There can't really be any doubt about the cricket book of the year, any year: it's obviously Wisden." Andrew Baker, The Daily Telegraph @WisdenAlmanack" Read more

The UK's bestselling cricket annual returns - it's the indispensable pocket guide to the summer.The 78th edition of the Playfair Cricket Annual is packed with all the information you need to follow the cricket season in 2025, as well as a review of events during the previous twelve months. India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe 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 2025. There are also sections on women's cricket, the IPL and The Hundred. For any cricket fan, the season is never complete without a copy of Playfair to guide you through it all. Read more

'A compelling book. Test cricket is hanging on. It's a worry' - Graham Gooch'Huw Turbervill is the ultimate passionate polemicist for the Test format' - David Gower OBETHE EDITOR OF THE CRICKETER GOES ON A SOUL-SEARCHING JOURNEY TO DISCOVER WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR TEST CRICKETThe Final Test is a love letter to cricket and a manifesto in favour of the Test format. Taking readers on a nostalgic journey, Huw Turbervill shares stories of cricket past and present and of the incredible characters the sport has encountered over the years: Viv Richards, Graham Gooch, David Gower, Merv Hughes, Richard Hadlee and more.In a tumultuous sporting landscape, the cricket community, however, seems undecided about the future of Test cricket. The IPL is expanding, The Hundred still seems to dominate the thoughts of English cricket's controllers, and the men's Ashes in 2023 was relegated to a narrow window. As T20 keeps growing internationally and domestically like Japanese knotweed, attracting more fans than ever before, is it still possible for the longer format to retain its wistful shine?Huw asks a five-star panel of cricketers, commentators and writers if Test cricket can truly survive the next decade. Shouldn't we keep a tradition filled with memories of days gone by? Could we instead try to maintain a healthy balance of formats all year round? How about accepting that times need to change? Are Huw and others too nostalgic and conservative? This book is the ultimate soul-searching journey around the great game. Read more

'Wonderfully wide-focused, unfailingly readable and laced with passages of insightful analysis, Tim Wigmore's history of test cricket is a true tour de force.' David Kynaston'Much more than simply a history of Test cricket, this is a colourful, modern take on the sport's most treasured format. I've commentated on over 400 Tests and learned so much from this wonderful book. Wigmore lays bare the challenges Test cricket faces and the fight required to preserve it.' Jonathan Agnew, BBC Test Match Special'Hugely informative and enjoyable - a fantastic achievement. A must-read for all cricket lovers.' - Peter FrankopanThe first narrative history of Test cricket.Test cricket is on the cusp of its 150th anniversary. For the first time, Test Cricket: A History tells the full, gripping story of the players and stories that have shaped the game's evolution since 1877.Award-winning author Tim Wigmore brings to life both Test cricket on the pitch and the game's social significance around the world. This captivating tour is illuminated by dozens of exclusive interviews with the game's greatest players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Pat Cummins, Michael Holding, Muthiah Muralidaran, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Chappell, Dale Steyn and Rahul Dravid.From Bodyline to Bazball, the golden age to the rise of West Indies, and Shane Warne to Ian Botham, readers will come to appreciate Test cricket's remarkable history like never before. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Sri Lanka.Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from reef diving and snorkelling around Pigeon Island, to experiencing Sri Lanka's most iconic train ride through scenic tea plantations, and spotting leopards and sloth bears in the crowd-free Kumana National Park.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Sri Lanka travel guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Sri Lanka and connect experiences together with easeCreate your perfect trip with exciting itineraries for extended journeys combined with suggested day trips, walking tours, and activities to match your passionsGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Beddagana Wetland Park, Sacred City of Kandy, and moreSpecial features on Colombo walking tour; choosing your best surf spot; and Sri Lankan literature guideExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Sri Lankan culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and mapsCovers: Colombo; The West Coast; The South; The Hill Country; The Ancient Cities; The East; Jaffna & Mannar Island Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary country with Lonely Planet's Sri Lanka. Read more

Do you know a grubber from a yorker? Can you identify the golden rules of slip and outfield catching? How does a batter recover from the dreaded royal duck? And where on earth do players find room for all those teas?In this official Test Match Special book, cricket legend and TMS commentator Ebony Rainford-Brent takes you on a whirlwind tour of the greatest game in the world. How to Read Cricket offers an entertaining and witty guide to everything from amazing stats and skills analysis to the game's uniquely joyous culture, its stand-out players, greatest grounds and dodgiest pitches. Along the way, there are plenty of anecdotes from Ebony’s extraordinary career, as well as her top tactical and leadership tips. Whether you’re new to cricket or a seasoned pro, How to Read Cricket has it all plus a story or two to tell. Read more

Who played the best pranks on his fellow team-mates? Which member of the TMS team terrorised his teachers in the annual staff-pupil game? And the truth behind 'the greatest sporting commentary of all time'...Between them, Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell have probably watched more cricket than anyone alive, and they have many stories to tell, both as players and as commentators for Test Match Special. From their days as schoolboy cricketers, learning the ropes, to the shenanigans of the county circuit, and now their careers as commentators, they have seen it all.Joined by colleagues from TMS such as Isa Guha, Ebony Rainford Brent, Alison Mitchell, Carlos Brathwaite and Aatif Nawaz, Aggers and Tuffers share the highlights, mishaps and moments of brilliance and emotion that they have witnessed and experienced on pitches around the world. Read more

The Cricketers’ Who’s Who is the essential guide to the 2025 cricket season. The 46th edition tells you everything you need to know about every single player from all 18 counties and includes an in-depth women’s section to take in the growing number of professional female cricketers within the new domestic structure. Close to 500 players have answered questions ranging from the opponent they most enjoy playing against to their lives away from cricket, giving readers an exclusive insight into everyone who will be competing this summer. Detailed career statistics are included for each player, plus there is a round-up of the 2024 season, including tables, averages and MVPs. There are profiles of all the head coaches, a look at how each county is shaping up for the new season, and fixture lists for the England men’s and women’s teams, while this year’s foreword comes courtesy of Surrey captain Rory Burns fresh from leading his club to a third successive Championship title. Read more

'a wonderful tale' - David 'Bumble' Lloyd'one of cricket's most distinctive writers' - Andy ZaltzmanTHIS GROUND-BREAKING BOOK REVEALS THE SCIENCE, SKILL AND CULTURE THAT MADE THE 50 GREATEST BATTERS OF ALL TIME.Most batters just do their best, yet the top players create art. It is physically impossible to face an 80mph delivery and track it with your eyes, yet the greatest batters do more than just watch the ball, they can see into the future.This book is about the batters who see what mortals don't: Javed Miandad purposefully making errors to manipulate the field; Sachin Tendulkar digging up a pitch to take on Warne; Shivnarine Chanderpaul practising non-stop on a beach until he mastered his technique; and Joe Root playing against spin as a result of three random events. Others, such as Smith, Pietersen and Richards, carried on the work of a man 100 years before their time, meanwhile Ranji changed cricket with a bucket.Their methods and stories are different, but their currency is the same: runs. Through interviews with cricketing greats such as David 'Bumble' Lloyd, Nasser Hussain, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara, this book shows you the science, skill and culture that made the 50 greatest batters of all time - and, ultimately, how they conquered leather with willow. Read more

‘This enjoyable book could bring about profound change’ Professor Steve Peters author of The Chimp ParadoxARE YOU WRESTLING WITH A PIG OF A PROBLEM?Pig Wrestling is a simple story with a powerful message. Read it in under an hour, and you’ll be ready to tackle any type of sticky situation in work or life.Meet a stressed Young Manager, whose teams are at each other’s throats. At his local coffee bar he shares his frustrations with his barista – who turns out to be more than he seems.It’s the start of a journey into Pig Wrestling – a process that can be used to resolve any seemingly impossible problem. By reframing the issue we can all create change, whenever and wherever we need it most.Developed out of the authors’ work in elite sports and business – including Manchester City, Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill and the England Cricket team – this instantly memorable story will help you thrive in complex and messy times. Read more

The Ultimate Cricket Fact Book For KidsDid you know that the first game of cricket took place in 1646? Or that test cricket balls were originally white? Well, now you do, and you're about to learn a lot more...The Ultimate Cricket Fact Book For Kids is an amazing way for your kids to learn more about cricket in a fun and engaging manner!!This book contains 300 facts about cricket leagues, players, records and much more... and is designed to keep your little ones entertained for hours and improve their knowledge of the game! Read more

A TIMES, GUARDIAN, TELEGRAPH AND WATERSTONES BEST SPORT BOOK OF THE YEAR'Gripping' 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 England's challenging tour of India, this new edition looks ahead to the next era of Bazball. Read more

Getting to Grips is a unique publication for cricket coaches and players of all ages. It offers skills, drills, and practical solutions to common batting problems. Author Toby Radford uses his experience as an international batting coach to offer invaluable insight into what makes the world's best players so successful. He describes the Five Fundamentals of Batting - the basis of good batting - and uses an innovative mix of images and notes to clearly describe highly complex batting techniques and movements. This second expanded edition includes new technical analysis of international and county batsmen and offers practical guidance for players preparing for, and managing, their innings as well as how to cope with any unwanted yet inevitable runs of poor form. For coaches, there is a new and detailed breakdown of how to structure a one-to-one session with a batsman to quickly improve and maximise their potential.The effective techniques, skills, and drills are the same Toby uses with the world's top batsmen in the West Indies, in Bangladesh, and with the ECB, and are all offered here to help take your playing or coaching to the next level. Read more

*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**Shortlisted for Autobiography of the Year at the Sports Book Awards 2024**Nominated for Sports Personality of the Year 2023*Readers are loving Stuart Broad 'An absolute must for cricket fans' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'One of the greatest of his generation' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Magnificent' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Brilliant' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'For all Test cricket lovers' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐________For over seventeen years, Stuart Broad left it all on the field. A multiple Ashes winner and World Champion, Broad was integral to some of the greatest England teams of all time. His awards and achievements, however, don't tell the whole story. He has always been a cricketer of more than mere numbers. Broad's passionate and spontaneous behaviour has mad him a fan favourite. No other player feeds off the crowd quite like he does. In his autobiography, Broad shares the moments from the game which have made him and those that almost broke him. What's clear, however, is his unwavering belief in his own ability to become one of the best ever. Candid, entertaining, and refreshingly honest, this book reveals the personal side of a true cricketing great. 'A candid and honest account of one of England's best-ever cricketers' Mirror'An England legend' Guardian'One of crickets greatest showmen' Independent__________Praise for Stuart Broad The longevity of his career, and what he has achieved, should never be forgotten. Ben StokesHe loves the big moments, the pressure situations. That's a true sign of a champion, I think. He's been incredible for England for a long, long time. Glen McGrathStuart Broad is the ultimate Ashes warrior. Ricky PontingOne of England's greatest players of all time. Joe RootTop 10 Sunday Times bestseller, UK, November 2023. Read more

WISDEN BOOK OF THE YEAR – WinnerJM KILBURN CRICKET WRITER OF THE YEAR – WinnerCRICKET SOCIETY/MCC BOOK OF THE YEAR – ShortlistedSPORTS BOOK AWARDS – ShortlistedNo other sport offers up stories quite like the ones collected in these pages. Only cricket – and especially the club cricket of England and the British Isles – allows recreational players to rub shoulders with international stars and even superstars in a fully competitive context, providing them with some of the most cherished memories of their lives.Featuring Adam Gilchrist, Gordon Greenidge, Malcolm Marshall, Viv Richards, Jacques Kallis, Mohammad Azharuddin, Garry Sobers, Andre Russell, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Shane Bond, Courtney Walsh, Matt Hayden, Mark Taylor, Mark Waugh, VVS Laxman, Kevin Pietersen, AB de Villiers, Steve Waugh, Shahid Afridi, Kapil Dev, Allan Donald, Curtly Ambrose, Imran Tahir.With stories from the Lancashire League, Birmingham League, Bradford League, Bolton League, Northern League, North Staffs League, Northumberland League and Middlesex League, as well as Cumbria and Northern Ireland.PRAISE FOR STICKY DOGS AND STARDUSTThe [Book of the Year award] goes to Sticky Dogs and Stardust, for its fund of astonishing stories, which would have remained untold without Scott Oliver’s labours, and for the élan and verve of his writing… [He] clearly has a profound understanding of and love for the local game [and] has done a magnificent job researching and recovering these stories, delving into mildewed scorebooks, interviewing teammates and opponents. Anthony McGowan, Wisden Cricketers’ AlmanackBeen a big fan of Scott Oliver for a long time. Great attention to detail for cricket allied to fun gossip. The David Foster Wallace of cricket. His book, Sticky dogs and Stardust, is a delight. Couldn’t recommend it moreGeorge Dobell, The CricketerThis book was a cracking idea - Martin Chandler, CricketWeb.netThis book is a gem. Reading and relishing this labour of love from freelance journalist and club cricketer Scott Oliver, one can easily understand why it was shortlisted for The Cricket Society and MCC Book of the Year Award… The rollercoaster ride to a seasonal climax is so grippingly well written that it rivals the best ever writing about social cricket in Hugh de Selincourt’s The Cricket Match or AG McDonnell’s England Their England.Philip Fisher, Cricket Society JournalA rip-roaring journey through league cricket full of heart-warming stories, tales of derring-do and some brilliantly absurd anecdotes […] A passion to tell these stories leaps off every page like a Curtly Ambrose bouncer.Timothy Abraham, The CricketerScott should be proud – not only that he won the Wisden Book of the Year award, but for showing that obsessively researched, high-class writing about niche subjects still knocks everything else clean out of the Narenda Modi Stadium.Rob Smyth, The GuardianIt’s a wonderful book… congenially written [but a work of impressive] scholarship.Dan Norcross, Test Match SpecialA beautiful fusion between club cricket and the stars who light it up. Scott’s skill as a writer shines through as does his research. John Fuller, Cricket Yorkshire Read more

“Probably because the direction of my own life has been changed by the impact of cricket, I am intrigued by the life stories of people for whom the game has played a comparably significant role.” In Cricket Changed My Life Annie Chave throws the spotlight on a diverse medley of people, whose very variety highlights the fact that cricket can benefit anyone, that the game’s reach is not confined to players or even to fields of play. From a Pakistani teenager left for dead by terrorists to England’s first black international cricketer, from journalists and broadcasters who have battled adversity to forge careers in cricket to a pair of Syrian refugees, and from one of England’s greatest all-rounders to the inimitable David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, Chave writes about the lives of eleven very different people for whom the game of cricket has been transformative. Through wide-ranging and illuminating interviews, the author delves deep into the (often- unpredicted) life-enhancing properties of cricket, revealing, in some cases, its power to reclaim lives lived on the brink of despair. Read more

Test 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 Read more

THE CRICKET WRITERS' CLUB DEREK HODGSON BOOK OF THE YEARLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2024'This entertaining book is gripping reading for any cricket buff' Sunday Times'An epic contest superbly retold . . . a fascinating slice of social history, it is a spellbinding read' Vic Marks'You should go out and buy it now, because the book is brilliant' SpectatorDavid Kynaston and Harry Ricketts relive the compelling story of a gripping Ashes-deciding Test match that heralded the dawn of an new era for English cricket.The Ashes are on the line as England and Australia meet at Old Trafford in July 1961 for the fourth Test. For most of the match, England have their noses ahead - until a dramatic final day, of intensely fluctuating fortunes, as the tourists eventually storm to victory. In short, an Ashes classic, told here by David Kynaston and Harry Ricketts in vivid and immersive detail, recreating the sometimes agonising experience of millions of armchair viewers and listeners.At the heart of Richie Benaud's Blue Suede Shoes are two strikingly contrasting personalities: England's captain, the Cambridge-educated, risk-averse, establishment-minded Peter May; and Australia's captain, the charismatic, risk-taking, open-minded Benaud - a contrast not only between two individuals, but between two cricketing and indeed national cultures. Whereas Benaud and Australia symbolised a new, meritocratic era, May and England seemed, in what was still an amateur-dominated game, to look back to an old imperial legacy out of sync with the dawning Sixties.The sharply observed final chapters take the story up to the present day. They relate the 'after-lives' of the match's key participants, including Ted Dexter, Bill Lawry and Fred Trueman as well as May and Benaud; trace the continuing chequered relationship between English cricket and broader social change; and, after six more decades of fierce Ashes rivalry, wrestle with the perennial conundrum for all England supporters - why do the baggy green caps usually beat us? Read more

THE WISDEN BOOK OF THE YEAR and THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR. 'The most complete, best researched, roses-and-thorns history of cricket in Pakistan' Independent'As good as it's likely to get' Guardian The nation of Pakistan was born out of the trauma of Partition from India in 1947. Its cricket team evolved in the chaotic aftermath. Initially unrecognised, underfunded and weak, Pakistan's team grew to become a major force in world cricket. Since the early days of the Raj, cricket has been entwined with national identity and Pakistan's successes helped to define its status in the world. Defiant in defence, irresistible in attack, players such as A.H.Kardar, Fazal Mahmood, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan awed their contemporaries and inspired their successors. The story of Pakistan cricket is filled with triumph and tragedy. In recent years, it has been threatened by the same problems affecting Pakistan itself: fallout from the 'war on terror', sectarian violence, corruption, crises in health and education, and a shortage of effective leaders. For twenty years, Pakistan cricket has been stained by the scandalous behaviour of the players involved in match-fixing. After 2009, the fear of violence drove Pakistan's international cricket into exile. But Peter Oborne's narrative is also full of hope. For all its troubles, cricket gives all Pakistanis a chance to excel and express themselves, a sense of identity and a cause for pride in their country. Packed with first-hand recollections, and digging deep into political, social and cultural history, Wounded Tiger is a major study of sport and nationhood. Read more

As the 1975 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack put it, “Never in the ninety-eight years of Test cricket have batsmen been so grievously bruised and battered by ferocious, hostile short-pitched balls as were those led conscientiously by Mike Denness.”Led by tearaway speedsters Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, the Australian bowling attack terrorised the tourists during the six-match series – by the end of the first Test, two English batsmen had suffered broken bones. There was plenty more suffering to follow as the Aussies blitzed their way to a 4-1 victory.When Bob Dylan released his album Blood on the Tracks a few days after the Ashes had been surrendered it could have been timed deliberately to provide a future author with a book title that reflected events in Australia. Instead of songs reflecting a “bleak fatalistic view of love”, as one reviewer described it, the album might have been expected to deliver stories of broken bones and frightening near misses.For that was the narrative of the doomed attempt by the England team to retain the urn in the face of a barrage of some of the most intimidating fast bowling ever witnessed. Nearly 50 years after Dylan’s generosity, David Tossell’s book offers a gripping and forensic account of this uniquely frightening and wince-inducing Australian summer and the indelible mark it left on cricket. Read more