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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Ball games > Cricket
The story of a lifetime at the very centre of international
cricket, from the most respected TV commentator in the game. Few
people understand cricket as well as Richie Benaud. For sixty
years, as player and commentator, he has set the standards for
others to follow and has witnessed all the major events in the
game. No one else has found such favour with the vast numbers of
cricket lovers in both Britain and Australia. A high-class
attacking batsman and masterful legspin bowler, he captained
Australia in 28 of his 63 Tests, regaining the Ashes in 1958-59 and
taking part in both Laker's match in 1956 and the Tied Test in
1960. His television career, which began in 1963 while he was still
a Test player, has coincided with a period of astonishing change -
in the way the game is played, with the increasing popularity of
the shorter formats, and in the way it is broadcast, with the
innovations that began with World Series Cricket. In Over But Not
Out, Richie Benaud has added extensive new material to his
acclaimed Anything but . . . an Autobiography in order to cover the
years since its publication; he not only revisits his long and
remarkable career but also casts his eye over cricket in the 21st
century. He gives his distinctive take on series such as the 2005
and 2009 Ashes and contemplates the future of the game he loves,
revealing strong and sometimes surprising opinions on Twenty20,
day-night games, technology, referral systems, no-balls, neutral
umpires and match-fixing. Packed with stories and illuminated by
his characteristic incisiveness and independent-minded good sense,
Over But Not Out is required reading for all followers of the game.
If someone were to say 'it's not tennis', or 'not football' of
shabby behaviour in any walk of life, he or she would not be
understood. If they said 'it's not cricket', they probably would be
(though less reliably than a century ago). Is there some special
spirit of cricket? The laws of cricket, like the laws of the land,
aim at a sort of justice or balancing between different factions.
The purpose behind cricket's laws, and behind changes in them, is
often to calibrate the balance in the game between batsmen and
bowlers, between attack and defence, between safety and risk.
Cricketing lawmakers are interested in the overall appeal of the
game to players and spectators alike. In Spirit of Cricket, Mike
Brearley alternates between issues and examples within the game -
from 'Mankading' and the 'Sandpaper' affair to sledging, mental
disintegration and racism - as well as broader issues such as the
spirit and letter of the law. Brearley examines the issue of how
far what purports to be justice (in law or in spirit) may or may
not be the expression of the powerful within the activity or within
society. He also contrasts cheating and corruption, and reflects on
the nature of penalties in regard to each. He discusses the
significance of the notion of the spirit of the game for umpires,
groundsmen, administrators, media and spectators - and, of course,
for players. Intelligent and insightful, Spirit of Cricket points
to qualities in cricket that enhance our development as people -
including a sense of fair play, the embracing of striving both for
our team and for ourselves and the important values of playfulness
in life and professional sport.
WISDEN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 Winner of The Telegraph Sports Book
Awards 2020 Heartaches Cricket Book of the Year 'Fascinating . . .
essential reading' - Scyld Berry 'A fascinating book, essential for
anyone who wishes to understand cricket's new age' - Alex Massie,
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 'An invaluable guide' - Mike Atherton,
The Times 'excellent . . . both breezily engaging, and full of the
format's latest, best and nerdiest thinking' - Gideon Haigh, The
Australian 'The century's most original cricket book . . . An
absorbing ride . . . some of their revelations come with the
startling force of unexpected thunder on a still night' - Suresh
Menon, editor Wisden India Almanack Cricket 2.0 is the multi
award-winning story of how an old, traditional game was
revolutionised by a new format: Twenty20 cricket. The winner of the
Wisden Almanack Book of the Year award, the Telegraph Sports Book
Awards' Cricket Book of the Year and selected as one of The
Cricketer's greatest cricket books of all time, Cricket 2.0 is an
essential read both for Test and T20 cricket lovers alike, and all
those interested in modern sport. Using exclusive interviews with
over 80 leading players and coaches - including Jos Buttler, Ricky
Ponting, Kieron Pollard, Eoin Morgan, Brendon McCullum and Rashid
Khan - Tim Wigmore and Freddie Wilde chronicle this revolution with
insight, forensic analysis and story-telling verve. In the process,
they reveal how cricket has been transformed, both on and off the
field. Told with vivid clarity and insight, this is the
extraordinary and previously misunderstood story of Twenty20, how
it is reshaping the sport - and what the future of cricket will
look like. Readers will never watch a T20 game in quite the same
way again. "For people that love cricket it's really important to
read it," said Miles Jupp. "I found it extraordinary."
The 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 1977 to 2000. Originally edited
by Bill Frindall, this new volume brings collectors' libraries up
to date, ensuring they have a complete and accurate record -
essential for any truly self-respecting cricket enthusiast.
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Cricket
(Paperback)
England And Wales Cricket Board
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Discovery Miles 3 440
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Ships in 9 - 17 working days
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Know the Game Cricket is the perfect introduction to the sport for
all ages, whether you are a keen club player or beginner. It is
packed with expert text, clear illustrations and photographs of the
professionals 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 the definitive introduction to a
wide range of sports and games. Written by the experts, you can be
sure that they contain everything you need to know to take part.
The former Prime Minister examines the history of one of the
great loves of his life.
Throughout John Major s life, one of the constant factors has
been his deep love of cricket. In this sumptuously illustrated book
he delves deep into the game s history, tracing its development
from its rustic beginnings to the international sport we know
today. Along the way he examines and at times demolishes many
cherished myths. Among the subjects to which he pays particular
attention are the changing social role of cricket, developments in
the rules, the emergence of the professional player, the game s
spread throughout the British Empire and the part it has played in
cementing international relations.
John Major s history of cricket reflects not only his lifelong
passion for the game, but the depth of his research among a wealth
of hitherto neglected but fascinating sources. It is a significant
addition to the already rich literature of the greatest game of
all."
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