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 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

A satirical obituary from 1882 mourned the death of English cricket after a match in which Australia won on English soil for the first time. The body would be cremated, the notice said, and the ashes taken to Australia. The great rivalry between England and Australia known as The Ashes had begun.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ed Cowan, opening left-hand batsman for Tasmania, has always been a bit of a scribbler. It started with to-do lists and notes to self, but then he started keeping a cricket diary - a 'batting bible' with thoughts on the game, other players, motivational philosophies and records of performances. The diary has become so much a part of his routine that he admits to being a little upset if he can't see it in his cricket bag. Other cricketers have found the habit a little odd. But for Cowan it's been a way of keeping an uncluttered head and making sense of the game. In the Firing Line, based on the diary Cowan kept while playing his second season for Tasmania over the summer of 2010-11, reveals with intelligence and a touch of humour the excruciatingly shaky position of the domestic cricket player. It's far from the glamour of playing for Australia and uncomfortably close to the long drop to amateurism, yet every match is rife with the possibility of being discovered and propelled into international stardom in the baggy green.

As one of the fastest bowlers the world has seen, Michael Holding went by the haunting nickname "Whispering Death," claiming 249 Test wickets. It was a moniker earned because he advanced on the bowling crease with stealth-like malevolence. Despite having not laced his bowling boots since 1989, it remains a fitting sobriquet. As a commentator and administrator, Holding has delivered his views on cricket in the same manner that he played the game: he speaks softly with a rich Jamaican rhythm and is calculated in either criticism or compliment. "No Holding Back" charts his effortless transition from one of the great players to one of the great pundits. Holding graphically describes his days as a player, looking back at how he tried to deliberately hurt batsmen on the wastelands of Kingston, and his first match for Jamaica when he almost collapsed from exhaustion--after only four overs. There is time, too, to divulge what it was like to tour with the West Indies, and unmissable insights about sharing a dressing room with other legends of the game like Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Viv Richards, and Malcolm Marshall. "No Holding Back" does not shirk the big issues, however, and serves as an antidote to the often bland and shallow autobiographies of recent players. Holding tackles why the West Indies have slipped following their halcyon days, openly assesses Brian Lara, and laments the hypocrisy over the state of the game in the region. The controversy surrounding the Allen Stanford $20m spectacle, the ICC's handling of the abandoned England v Pakistan match, player power, illegal bowling actions, and the threat of Twenty20 to the Test game are all subjects which Holding tackles with characteristic knowledge and class.

In the last three years, cricket has changed more completely than in the preceding three decades, revolutionised by a racy new format, Twenty20, and a glamorous new competition, the Indian Premier League. How did India come to run world cricket? How did clubs owned by billionaires and Bollywood stars begin to shove international competition aside? How did money unite players and divide administrators, amid allegations of massive corruption? Gideon Haigh has followed cricket's biggest story since Kerry Packer's 'World Series' from the beginning: Sphere of Influence is the result. This insightful collection brings the struggle to save cricket's soul into sharp and disturbing focus.

This book includes comprehensive coverage of every League in the North West plus Youth and Women's Cricket, Leagues, Clubs, Contacts, Fixtures, New Structures, Previews and Reviews, Facts, Figures and Tables.

From the late 19th century onwards, cricket was central to the culture of the British West Indies. By the 1890s, a small Indian middle class in British Guyana - present-day Guyana - began to advance their own credentials of belonging to the region. Seecheram explores the role of cricket in shaping Indo-Guyanese identity, from the example set by Prince Ranjitsinhji, or Ranji', to the seminal achievements of V.A. Veerasawmy and Chatterpaul 'Doosha' Persaud.'

When Dakota stole away in her fathers jeep, she had no idea of the dangers she would be facing. But she finds out when she becomes dinner for a giant cricket. But when Jake saves her in a nick of time she falls for him. it becomes a race against time when they are chased by giant crickets and lava. But deep in the cave there are a colony of people. And the leader has different ideas about them leaving.

From one of the finest writers on the game comes ""Inside Out"", Gideon Haigh's latest despatches from the crease.In 2008, he celebrates the centenary of Bradman's birth and 75 years of Bodyline; ponders the quintessence of the 'Don', even as he looks at cricket's other knights; dissects the Australian way of cricket across demography, politics and the politics of race; attempts to unravel the mystery that is cricket administration; and explains the finer points of cricket technique from taking guard to the leave.Whether it be the game as it is played on the world arena or at grass-roots level, Haigh will compel you to regard the game anew.