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

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

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

THIS AUTUMN'S MUST-HAVE AUTOBIOGRAPHY FROM CRICKET LEGEND, JIMMY ANDERSON'Revealing and often moving' - Guardian21 years, 188 Test Matches, 704 Test Wickets.This is Jimmy's story: an intimate, honest reflection told with his trademark humility and dry humour. From growing up in. Burnley as an outsider, isolated at school, bunking off, dreaming of being somewhere - anywhere - else, to dominating the 22 yards of the wicket as part of the deadliest England attack ever assembled.Jimmy takes us inside the dressing room, to those unforgettable moments: his debut under Nasser Hussain, facing off the Aussies with Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen's 'textgate' and that Mitchell Johnson incident. He reflects on the intense rivalries with Michael Clarke and Sachin Tendulkar and the burgeoning friendships with Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad. Delving behind the cricket, Jimmy reveals his experiences of personal loss alongside the pain of professional injury, and the strength he found from his marriage and the arrival of his two children.Finding the Edge is a front-row seat at the greatest games of the last two decades as England journey from perennial losers to world number one. But, above all, it is a coming-of-age story that reveals the real Jimmy Anderson: vulnerable, introspective, relentlessly determined, constantly evolving - a bowler unequalled, a career like no other. 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

*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

'[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 cricket.The 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

WINNER OF THE MCC / CRICKET SOCIETY BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD  WINNER OF THE HEARTACHES' CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK THE YEAR AWARD  An England cricket tour is a unique phenomenon, with its own pressures, challenges and remarkable highlights. It presents its participants - shorn of the usual support networks they enjoy at home - with a prolonged test of skill, physical stamina and mental resilience. Now Simon Wilde, author of the acclaimed England: The Biography, examines in The Tour the delicate chemistry that makes for a successful tour and why others disintegrate so badly.   Since the 19th century, England has been sending its cricket teams around the world to take on their rivals. Initially, these trips were undertaken by boat, meaning players could be away for many months, often in alien conditions. With air travel reducing journey time and facilities much improved, the challenges still remain: homesickness, isolation, hostile crowds - not to mention an opposition determined to win at all costs. For some, the experience can be too much, while others thrive in the heat and dust of battle.The Tour looks at all aspects of the history of England's cricketers abroad, including the burden placed on the captain, who is expected to combine on-field acumen with the deft touch of an ambassador off it. There have been diplomatic incidents aplenty, from Douglas Jardine’s Bodyline tactics to Len Hutton’s tour of the Caribbean, as well as the special pressures of playing in countries such as India and Pakistan during periods of unrest. Touring has never lost its romance. There have been serious scrapes, from court cases to car crashes, but also much fun, whether joining in with the Barmy Army or David Gower famously taking a Tiger Moth for a spin. Wilde explains how this seemingly anachronistic activity has been adapted from an instrument of imperial soft power to a relentless cricket circus that never ends.  Simon Wilde has once again created a masterpiece of insight, information and entertainment, an aspect of cricketing life that few will ever forget: the tour.   Read more

Ever wondered what it's like playing Test Cricket? What really goes on tour and beyond the boundary rope?Here, for the first time, the world of a pro-cricketer is revealed, and the man pulling back the dressing room curtains is one of England's greatest ever cricketers: James 'Jimmy' Anderson. 565 Test Wickets and counting.Written with Felix White: musician, cricket enthusiast and Anderson's co-host on BBC Five Live's phenomenally popular podcast 'Tailenders', Jimmy invites us all into his world of cricket. Full of test-match sized stories and 20/20 anecdotes, this book contains everything you've dreamed of asking a top cricketer. And Jimmy provides the answers and insights into this world on and off the pitch. We tackle the big questions. And, importantly, the small ones;Do cricketers really watch Countdown instead of the Test whilst waiting to bat? What are those conversations in the slip cordon?And what does he eat as a tailender? Read more

"Is Don Bradman still alive?" is the first thing Nelson Mandela was alleged to have said when he was released from Robben Island. Sir Donald Bradman is a sporting icon and the most successful batsman in history - his test batting average of 99.94 is almost 39 runs an innings better than the next best player. In 'The Don: Beyond Boundaries' Roderick Easdale explains and analyses the Boy from Bowral's staggering accomplishments and places them in a cultural, historical and international context. He explores the life and character of a part-time sportsman who was, in many ways, a reluctant hero. 'The Don: Beyond Boundaries' is a brilliant introduction to the sporting legend and the era he played in. But its statistics and analysis of the Bradman's success will also make this a must-read for cricket fans the world over. Roderick Easdale is a Berkshire-born Yorkshire supporter who now lives within walking distance of Lord's. An erratic and ferocious fast bowler in his youth, he decided it was time to retire from playing when his sole wicket one season was a stumping. He now plays golf instead. He is the author of The Novel Life of PG Wodehouse and England's One Test Wonders. Reviews of England's One Test Wonders: 'Roderick Easdale is a natural writer. He makes an impact where other's don't. This excellent book defies convention' (Cricket Lore) 'This book is a winner' (The Cricketer) 'Much time and research has gone into this fascinating study' (The Independent) 'An extremely interesting book and a rattling good read' (Northants Evening Telegraph) 'Preposterously entertaining' (Press Association) Read more

Sixteen Seasons in the Sun - MostlyA cricket-mad Australian decides to trade his playing whites for an umpire's coat, embarking on an unexpected journey of self-discovery.For six years, he occupies the best seat in the house, umpiring matches throughout Kent and Sussex.But it's his return to Australia that bowls him a googly.Captivated by the skill and talent of the world's best female cricketers, he joins the Victorian Premier Cricket Umpires Panel, asking to stand exclusively in women's matches.Will the cricketing establishment embrace his vision, or will his umpiring career be run out before it has begun?Stumped is a unique and entertaining tribute to an ancient and fascinating game - a delightful recollection filled with humour, insight, and a genuine love for cricket.From the intricacies of umpiring to the changing face of the sport, this extraordinary tale offers a fresh perspective that will appeal to cricket enthusiasts and newcomers alike.Step onto the pitch with author and umpire Richard Harrison as he breaks new ground in women’s cricket and shares his passion for the game.Whether you are a die-hard fan or simply curious about the nuances of umpiring, Stumped is your invitation to share this remarkable story.Don't be caught on the back foot - get your copy of Stumped before this offer ends, and enjoy this inspiring, laugh-out-loud memoir today. 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

The most famous sports book in the world, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has been published every year since 1864. The selected writings from the 162nd edition contained in this eBook offer trenchant opinion, compelling features and an authoritative voice on the worldwide game.The Shorter Wisden is a distillation of what's best in its bigger brother – and the 2025 edition of Wisden is crammed, as ever, with the best writing in the game. Wisden's digital version includes the influential Notes by the Editor, and all the front-of-book articles. In essence, The Shorter Wisden is a glass of the finest champagne rather than the whole bottle. In an age of snap judgments, Wisden's authority and integrity are more important than ever. Yet again this year's edition is truly a “must-have” for every cricket fan.@WisdenAlmanack Read more

The former Prime Minister examines the early history of one of the great loves of his life in a book that sheds new light on the summer game’s social origins.All his life John Major has loved cricket. In ‘More Than a Game’ he examines it from its origins up to the coming of the First World War. Along the way he considers the crucial role of the wealthy patrons who gambled huge sums on early matches; the truth behind the legends that have grown up around the famous Hambledon Club; changes in rules and techniques, including the transition from underarm to overarm bowling; the long-standing, but often blurred, distinction between 'gentlemen' and 'players'; the coming of the MCC and its role as the supreme arbiter of the game; the spread of cricket throughout the British Empire; and the emergence of the county game and international competition.It is a story rich in anecdote and colourful characters. Many of the great names from the 'Golden Age' of cricket – C.B. Fry, Ranjitsinhji, 'Demon' Spofforth and of course the towering figure of W.G. Grace – are still well-known today. But long before then the game already had its stars: men like the Kentish innkeeper's son 'Lumpy' Stevens, who played at the highest level until he was nearly sixty; 'Silver Billy' Beldham, who was taught how to play by a gingerbread baker; the notoriously avaricious and ill-tempered Lord Frederic Beauclerk, a direct descendant of Charles II and Nell Gwynne; and the mighty 'Lion of Kent' Alfred Mynn. Read more

SELECTED AS ONE OF WATERSTONES BEST SPORT BOOKS OF 2022.A CRICKETER BOOK OF THE YEAR.'Superb' Matthew Syed, The Times'Fascinating' The Observer'Crickonomics is packed with sufficient statistical analysis to have the most ardent cricket geek purring with pleasure' Mail on Sunday'An insightful, Hawk-Eye-like analysis of the numbers behind cricket' Financial TimesAn engaging tour of the modern game from an award-winning journalist and the economist who co-authored the bestselling Soccernomics. Why does England rely on private schools for their batters – but not their bowlers? How did demographics shape India's rise? Why have women often been the game's great innovators? Why does South Africa struggle to produce Black Test batters? And how does the weather impact who wins? Crickonomics explores all of this and much more – including how Jayasuriya and Gilchrist transformed Test batting but T20 didn't; English cricket's great missed opportunity to have a league structure like football; why batters are paid more than bowlers; how Afghanistan is transforming German cricket; what the rest of the world can learn from New Zealand and even the Barmy Army's importance to Test cricket. This incisive book will entertain and surprise all cricket lovers. It might even change how you watch the game. Read more

Batting for Time: The Fight to Keep English Cricket Alive is the exploration of a sport in existential crisis. In a rapidly changing sporting and social landscape, county cricket - an institution whose history spans more than 150 years - finds itself confronted with the most uncertain period in its long history. The proliferation of lucrative global franchise leagues has threatened to leave behind a member-owned English structure deep-rooted in the Victorian era. Pitting traditionalists against modernisers, and romantics against pragmatists, the need for change has sparked a host of civil wars, creating deep divisions among those who care for the English game.Using the 2023 season as a backdrop, Batting for Time explores the precarious state of English cricket, asking what it is we expect from our domestic game, who it primarily exists for and where things might go in the future. What must English cricket do to survive? Read more

Widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket, Shane Warne was a giant of his time. A sporting hero and national icon, young cricketers today are inspired by his leg spin legacy.Perhaps the most charismatic personality of any sport, Shane Warne's triumphs restored craft and subtlety to the foreground of the game. Taking the highest number of Test wickets when he retired – 708 at 25.14 apiece, he was chosen by Wisden as one of the five outstanding players of the 20th century. The rebel who used his injury in his early years to build strength in his wrists and upper body, his unwavering optimism and unassailable competitive spirit became a defining feature of the leading man of cricket.Packed with quotes and insights The Little Book of Shane Warne explores the man who, by unanimous consent, pitched the ball of the century, and earned his place in the pantheon of exceptional players.'He was the best of them all and you can't say any more than that.' Michael Parkinson'People put down their beer every time Shane Warne came on to bowl.' Ian Chappell 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

SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 'Verdict on Willis book: a treat' - Express'The book is a gem' - Mike Atherton 'It's a lovely book, containing previously unseen musings from the great man' - David Lloyd'enjoyable and eye-opening... a delight to read' - The Telegraph 'A warm, polished recollection.' - The Guardian'It's such a great read' - Piers Morgan'Willis book will bowl you over' - Sunday Mirror & The PeopleA biography celebrating the life of the legendary cricketer Bob Willis, with tributes from key figures in sports and media and a foreword by Sir Ian Botham. Following his passing in 2019, tributes to Bob came flooding in in every major news outlet and from every major figure in the industry - and outside of it. His career spanned decades, from his days as a cricketer for England to his time as a pundit on Sky TV. This autobiography includes never-before-seen writing from Bob alongside contributions from key figures as well as a detailed account of the great England victory over Australia at Headingly in 1981.The book, edited by Bob's brother David, combines a new biography, written by Daily Mail sportswriter Mike Dickson, with a celebration of a truly legendary man. Tributes from some of his many friends in the world of cricket and beyond are accompanied by reflections on highlights from an eventful life, drawing on autobiographical and personal material by Bob himself, contemporary press reports and the accounts of team-mates and opponents. Read more

The number 1 bestseller in paperback. One of the greatest cricketers of all time, Ricky Ponting boasts more records than any other player in Australian history including the most wins as a player and a captain, as well as being Australia's highest run-scorer in test and ODI cricket. From childhood prodigy to the highs and lows of an extraordinary international career, At the Close of Play is the remarkable autobiography of one of the game's greats. But beyond the triumphs and scandals, records and retirement, this is the story of a life lived in cricket and of a life shaped by extraordinary talent and the people who believed in that talent. Read more