The second half of the once-in-a-lifetime Double Ashes Series unfolds day by day via the quirky and insightful pen of The 17th Man, the last player picked in the Australian cricket squad. England started bristling with confidence, but it soon evaporated in the heat of the WACA sun, as Australia secured The Ashes and then steam-rolled England 5-0. All the triumph and controversy is here - departures and debuts, drop-bears and drop-ins, runs and runaways, petulance, performers and pretenders wedged between the odd sledge, broken bats, and a bucket of celebration, capped by hilarious commentary from the Tests in Tweets. Relive it all in The 17th Man's 'Summer of Shove', the sister volume to 'Summer of the 17th Man, England 2013'.

Reader, you are in for a treat. Or possibly a shock. Richard 'Siggy' Young has just written an astonishing cricket book about football. Or perhaps it's a stunning football book about cricket. There was much more to the birth and subsequent explosive rise of football in Scotland than mere football. There was cricket. Scottish cricket, Big Scottish cricket. This is serious revisionist history. Cherished myths are debunked. ...a must-read for all with even a passing interest in the origins of Scottish 'fitba' and the social dynamics of nineteenth century industrial Scotland. One thing's for sure. Make no mistake. It's an utter gem.

Many of us have dreamed about upping sticks, leaving the humdrum of urban living for a new life of blue skies, warm sunshine and sparkling seas. For Anthony and Ivana Stancomb, moving from Fulham to Vis was an easy decision. But fitting in with the locals was one of the hardest things they have ever had to do. Under a Croatian Sun takes the reader on a journey from Grey Britain to a ramshackle village in Croatia - a village proudly defined by its tragic history, its unique cafe culture, its fishing industry and its potent alcohol. Faced with a language barrier and not the friendliest of locals, little by little our undaunted couple become islanders in their own right, and melt a few hearts in the process. With the Adriatic Sea as a backdrop, we trace their transformation from foreigners to friends, taking in their adventures on the water, fierce grandmothers, star-cross'd lovers and the establishment of the island's first ever cricket team. This heartwarming accounts of following your heart and not your head, shows how, with a bit of courage and an open mind, home is wherever you make it.

If you love cricket, you'll love the 17th Man's Ashes Diary Laugh your way through the 2013 Ashes Tour with nearly 100 diary entries The 17th Man returns, bringing his unique style to the 2013 Ashes series. As the last man picked in the Australian touring squad, The 17th Man writes a daily diary covering the on-field action and the behind the scenes intrigue of his parallel cricketing universe. Now, his diary is available here, with added features, illustrations and The 17th Man's famous "Best of the Test in Tweets." All the controversy of the 2013 Ashes in one book - WalkaboutGate - One Coach down, 5 tests to go - DRS and other catastrophes - Who turned out the lights? - Rain? What rain? With illustrations by cartoonist Jock Macneish What readers say about the 17th Man "Funny, considered, intelligent humour which struck a chord for me as a cricket fan." "Warwick Todd with bite " "It so believable that I wish it were all true." "Easy and fun reading." "The Catch 22 of cricket fiction"

"An intricate and colourful story of deception beautifully rendered. As a portrait of the idiosyncrasies of English cricket, Cometh the Yuan is a Chinese cut above the rest." - The Guardian They said it could never happen. They said such a national treasure would never be allowed to fall into China's insatiable grasping clutches. And anyway, they said, what could China possibly want with the spiritual home of the game of cricket? Retribution, said some. Lord's Cricket Ground owes its eighteenth century origins to fortunes made from getting the Chinese hooked on opium and now it's payback time. Nonsense, said China. We're just extending a helping hand to a western cultural icon in a financial fix. Honest. Smelling a sizeable rat in China's assurances, the fraternity of world cricket starts digging. What it unearths is enough to shake western civilisation to its roots. With England's hosting of the Cricket World Cup just a year away, China's motives for taking an interest in Lord's are not only not honourable, it discovers, they're simply not cricket."

This book takes an in depth look at India's iconic cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar including his success and where he fell short. Author of the book who is of Sachin's age, describes how the child prodigy Sachin took over the entire nation by storm in his early days. How he quickly earned the status of batting genius and the God, which puts Sachin in the ultimate batting league of only Viv Richards and Brian Lara. Book goes a step beyond, to praise Sachin outside his batting records and greatness. Author measures Sachin's performances in context, by judging him only against the best attacks, the toughest batting conditions and the high pressure big occasions in the game. Just the way the book mentions Sachin's heroics over the 23 year career, book also sheds light on how he has come up short against the world champion Australian side, the South Africans and at the high pressure big occasion innings. Author also explores the Indian cricket culture. of putting personal milestones ahead of the team's performances, and how the retirements of the players are delayed, hurting the performance of the team and the careers of the new youngsters. In the end, Author talks about the successful MS Dhoni era and how Sachin has positively contributed to this era.

When Mark Boucher played his first game of cricket for South Africa, a senior player took him aside and bluntly told him he was the worst wicketkeeper ever to play in the national side. Over a decade later, when Bouch finally retired with a plethora of records under his belt and to huge acclaim from the public, he took grim satisfaction in relating this piece of history.

Through My Eyes is the story of a man with remarkable sporting prowess. Born into a sports-mad family in East London, he excelled in squash, tennis and rugby before choosing cricket as his preferred sport. His extraordinary achievements on the field are well known - he was voted SA player of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2006. What is not so well known, and makes up much of this book, are the behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes. Stories of staring down the barrel of defeat and of celebrating victory; of developing strong bonds with teammates Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and others that go way beyond mere friendship. What emerges is the image of a man who always fought for the underdog, whose never-say-die attitude inspires those around him.

Bouch's career was brought to a dramatic end on a cricket pitch in England when the bail of a stump punctured his left eye. But, in his own words, "I lost sight but gained vision".

True to his character of gritty determination, Bouch has rededicated his life to a new cause, that of the environment and particularly the critically endangered rhino.

There have been hundreds of books written on the subject of cricket coaching over the past two centuries. This book does not attempt to add to that list. Instead it attempts to provide young cricketers with nontechnical tips and techniques to help them develop into successful young cricketers. The Young Cricketer's Companion is for all young cricketers who wish to raise their level of performance. The book provides performance tips and valuable insights into the mental side of the game - the psychology of cricket - at a level suited to those aged between 10 and 18 years. The author covers the mental aspects of batting, bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping, as well as fitness, pre-season preparation, practice and captaincy. '.... for many years we have seen a plethora of books based on improving cricketing techniques. Seldom do we come across an approach to cricket which encompasses so many facets of the game, such as physical, mental and nutritional preparation. A good read for any players serious about their cricket who wish to improve their performance....' Peter Watt, Head of Physical Education, Hutt International Boys' School. 'The Young Cricketer's Companion is a wonderful book for any young cricketer who loves cricket and wishes to take his game to the next level. The book offers sound advice and a common sense, simple approach to a game that can sometimes be overcomplicated by those charged with coaching the game. What sets it apart from many of the other books about youth cricket is the underlying "mental approach" to the game that the author subtly refers to consistently throughout the book. Cricket at the higher level is all about the "top six inches" and the sooner our cricketers are exposed to this at the lower levels the better I believe they will become.' Mark Borthwick, Coaching Director, Cricket Wellington.

The Alternative Cricket Almanack 2011 is a collection of witty and incisive articles from a group of unheralded, passionate writers. This book is a fantastic read for cricket fans, and proceeds go to an equally brilliant cause for cricket fans. Cricket coverage is terrible these days, with overpaid, under-qualified commentators spoon-feeding us their sterilized non-opinions. We have decided to take a stand. Rather than boring you to death with turgid prose, we have written this book in order to entertain you. There are hilarious anecdotes to go with brutally honest analysis of the current game. Proceeds will go towards a scholarship for promising cricketers in Afghanistan, via the Afghan Youth Cricket Support Organisation. Cricket is as potent a sport as any in terms of bringing people together, and Afghanistan is in need of an ambassador who can be a spearhead in this context. There is ample talent out there, just waiting to be discovered and nurtured - with your help, we can achieve something incredible. If we are able to discover a diamond in the rough, a Murali, a Tendulkar, maybe even the next Dilhara Fernando...it will make a huge difference - any success for Afghan cricket has the potential to inspire Afghanistan as a nation. We certainly pull no punches when it comes to criticising everyone from commentators, to overpaid board members to umpires, although we do reserve praise for our 'Alternative Team of the Year' and 'Players to Watch for in 2011'. On VVS Laxman: "Laxman remains the most attractive man in the Indian side, despite having the appearance of a pharmacist in 1970's Mumbai." From 'Diary of a Cricket Widow' "I also don't see why he is so obsessed with Shahid Afridi. We both have similarly luscious hair, although I do concede that I never get promotions at work for sucking at life and bending the laws. My partner is not even Pakistani himself, yet he watches YouTube videos of Afridi's Head & Shoulders adverts. Confusingly, sometimes I find him posing in front of the bathroom mirror, stroking his ever-growing bald patch and pouting: "Because I'm worth it, yaar." I daren't ask. " Our book also includes pieces such as... - Don Bradman coming back from the dead as a zombie - A Day in the life of the Pakistan captain - Why Girls Can't Throw - An Homage to Tendulkar - Why Fast Bowlers Don't Eat Ice Cream - An Alternative Perspective on Women's Cricket This is an altogether unique take on cricket, written by fans with a passion for the game. You will laugh out loud at our visceral, often black humour, and you will raise eyebrows at our unapologetically honest take on the cricket world.

Since he took over the gloves inthe England side in 2007, Matt Prior has become a vital part of England's subsequent success and strategy. In this book he looks at the key moments of his career to reveal how England achieved so much success, winning two Ashes series and rising to the top of the international rankings. From touring India in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks to joining in the celebrations with the Barmy Army in Australia, Prior has seen it all. But what makes Prior's perspective unique is his position at the heart of the action as England's wicket-keeper. He is the man who hears all the banter and sledging; he is the one who gets the best view of some of the world's greatest batsmen up close and personal. Given all that, who better to show what the life of a modern England cricketer is really like than the man at the centre of it all: Matt Prior?

The mental side of cricket is what separates the best players from the rest. Technical, tactical, and physical preparation are important for top class performances but it is often what happens inside a player's mind that is the difference between success and failure. The very best players and teams are confident, motivated, concentrate effectively, cope with pressure, and control their emotions. The Psychology of Cricket is the first book to provide expert and up-to-date advice into one of the most psychological sports around.

The book is appropriate for anyone involved in playing or coaching cricket, and for all levels. The Psychology of Cricket teaches individuals to develop mental toughness by using mental skills which can be used in both practice and match situations, and provides expert advice on understanding the important ingredients of successful teams and leaders.

- Train and develop your mind to perform more effectively and consistently.

- Learn how to deal more consistently and effectively with your emotions and pressure.

- Boost your confidence through recalling success, reflection, and smart thinking.

- Develop concentration routines to maximize your mental energy.

- Learn how the best players develop mental toughness

From around the globe to your local park, The Cricket Tragic's Book of Cricket Extras captures the highs and lows, the ups and downs and the ins and outs of this glorious game we call cricket. Whether it be outstanding or esoteric performances on the field, or bizarre and baffling incidents off the field, fascinating facts on all aspects of the game can be found within these covers. You'll read about the female cricketer exposed as being a boy, the Australian Test captain who became a sheep farmer, the Prime Minister who made a duck on his first-class debut, and the New South Wales player who became a star on Broadway. With every cricketing nation represented, you will be taken on the ultimate cricket tour from Colombo to Cape Town, Mumbai to Kabul and Lord's to the SCG. The pages within are crammed with a vast array of oddities the world over that will entertain and amuse sports enthusiasts of all ages. With an abundance of statistical tables, celebrity 'Dream Teams', unusual photographs, stories and quotes from players and observers alike, The Cricket Tragic's Book of Cricket Extras is a must-have book for cricket and sports fans alike. The author, Marc Dawson, an ABC newsreader, is the ultimate 'cricket tragic' and has notched up 14 books on the subject over the past 20 years. Never short of cricketing curiosities, this is the first volume in his Cricket Tragic's series of cracking facts and feats from around the world.

Get to know England legend Alastair Cook in his fascinating and remarkably honest autobiography THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & TELEGRAPH BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'He is England's greatest ever batsman . . . a hugely enjoyable book' Daily Mail, SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR _________ Watch. The. Ball. It's just you. Standing at the crease. Waiting. The bowler is running. His arm swinging. The ball - 155 grams of cork, string and leather - is hurled at you. At 90 mph it travels 22 yards in under half a second. You can barely see it and you've got to be swinging your bat before it's halfway towards you. Because you are in its path . . . Alastair Cook, one of England's most decorated players and highest test run scorer, knows what it is like to be your best under pressure. Yet at 33 he called time on his England career. Come with him as he relives the fraught hours on the pitch, the desperate lows and astonishing highs, the paralysing anxiety that can send the best back home and the extraordinary battle of wills with yourself, the opposing players and even those supposedly on your own side. This is cricket as you've never seen it. The view from the inside . . . LONGLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AUTOBIOGRAPHY AWARD _________ 'Fascinating, timely. Delves into the psychological challenges of the game' Guardian 'Bracingly honest' Times

Right from the time of its introduction in 1975 when Test cricket was the undisputed giant of the game, through the eight following editions till 2007 with the 50 over format becoming the definitive, crowd-pulling format, to a preview to the 2011 edition, at a time when 20-20 cricket is threatening to steal its thunder. It includes a review of all the world cups, peppered with interesting facts and quotes, a warm up to the matches, venues and nations of World Cup 2011, an expert's SWOT analysis of the competing teams and of course, a special in-depth report of the Indian stars who carry the hopes of a billion people! Cricket connoisseurs will also find a handy guide the matches, memorable pictures and some exciting competitions with mouth-watering prizes up for grabs! The book is a great appetizer is for anyone looking forward to the World Cup and a must for a cricket lover.

On 16 March 2012, at Mirpur in Dhaka, after opening the innings for India, Sachin nudged the ball to behind square leg in the forty-fourth over to cross the final barrier: a hundred centuries in international cricket. In this account of the master batsman's incredible journey, sportswriter V. Krishnaswamy takes us through every hundred, every peak scaled on Sachin's way to the top. With an introduction by former India captain Rahul Dravid and a foreword by Sachin's first and most famous coach Ramakant Achrekar, this is a book for every cricket and Sachin fan.

Ending up at the very bottom of the Ranji Trophy s lower division shook Rajasthan up. The team staked all it had on the season of 2010 - 11; it became the players one shot at redemption. This is the inspiring true story of the players motivation, their passion for cricket, and of a cricket association that changed the rules of how domestic cricketers are groomed in India. Together, they resurrected the Rajasthan team - against all odds. This is the scintillating story of Rajasthan s first Ranji Trophy win, written by the team s highly successful opening batsman himself. If Aakash Chopra s first book laid bare the administrative apathy and corruption that domestic cricket is mired in, this one is a close- up of what it could be.

A TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 'A treasure of recollections and reactions, talking heroes, controversies and big themes' i paper 'Brearley is at his best in these quirky, delightful essays when he is exploring the human qualities of humbler players . . . Brearley's admiration for his friends' decency, craftsmanship and modesty seems to recall a golden age of country cricket' The Times 'Brearley has a knack for paying respect to the past without denigrating the present and for calmly considering the future' Mail on Sunday Mike Brearley was arguably one of England's finest cricket captains; not just for his outstanding record leading his country but also for the way he orchestrated, during the 1981 Ashes series, one of the most extraordinary reversals in sporting history. In this collection of sparkling essays, Brearley reflects on the game he has come to know so well. He ranges from the personal - the influence of his Yorkshire father and the idols of his youth - to controversial aspects of the professional game, including cheating, corruption, and innovation, the latter often being on a borderline between genius and rebellion. Brearley also evaluates his heroes (amongst them Viv Richards, Bishan Bedi and Dennis Lillee), the game changers, the outstanding wicketkeepers, the 'Indian-ness' of four generations of Indian batsmen and the important commentators (including Harold Pinter, John Arlott and Ian Chappell). The Ashes, the most sustained love-hate relationship in the history of sport and key to Brearley's test-playing career, are raked over. Central to the book is an important section on race and cricket, and the legacy of C. L. R. James. Insightful and humorous, On Cricket is an intelligent exposition of the game's idiosyncratic culture and its enduring appeal.