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"

Cardus in the Covers is a companion volume to Neville Cardus's Cardus on Cricket and draws on his writing from 1920 into the 1950's and, even, the 1960's. Cardus celebrates many of the greatest cricketers to play the game, Len Hutton and Denis Compton to Richie Benaud and Gary Sobers. The collection contains Neville Cardus's reportage of the Coronation Test series of 1953, the last test matches that he fully reported on. It spans the full range of his cricket writing and demonstrates the mature flowering of one of the great writing stylists of the twentieth-century. These remarkable essays show how Cardus found art and richness of nature on the cricket field. Neville Cardus was Britain's greatest sports writer, his reports for 'The Guardian' made sports journalism a source of vivid description and criticism rather than a purely factual account. Every sports writer since has been influenced by him, whether consciously or not.

Neville Cardus watched and chronicled cricket for over fifty years and no other writer has so understood (and was equipped to explore) the peculiar magic of this most English of games. His writing span cricket's changes, from the 1920's when it was run by amateurs, to the 1950's when the professionals took over. In this collection of writings (many previously unpublished in book form) we see how cricket reflected the atmosphere and spirit of each age, from the gusto left over from the Edwardian era, to a less romantic age. The Cardus style - whether romantic or satirical, laudatory or condemning - remains a joy to read while the criticisms he levelled at eras long gone remain just as relevant to the game as it is played today. Neville Cardus was Britain's greatest sports writer, his reports for 'The Guardian' made sports journalism a source of vivid description and criticism rather than a purely factual account. Every sports writer since has been influenced by him, whether consciously or not.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Step up to winning cricket play. "Cricket: Steps to Success" contains progressive instruction for comprehensive coverage of individual skills, techniques and the fundamentals of team play.

With "Cricket: Steps to Success," you will learn the proper techniques of batting, bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping. Through clear, detailed instruction, full-colour photos and illustrations and 71 of the game's best drills, you will develop each skill and identify and correct common flaws in technique as you assess your abilities and gauge your progress.

When you have mastered the fundamentals, "Cricket: Steps to Success" takes you onto the field and into the game. From the roles and responsibilities of each position to the essentials of team play, you'll be prepared for every situation on the pitch.

If you are ready to master the game of cricket, rely on the one resource proven to make a difference. "Cricket: Steps to Success"--part of the popular Steps to Success series with more than 1.5 million copies sold--is your guide to winning play.

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.

The West Indies Cricket Team, formed in 1884, made its first overseas tour two years later to Canada and the United States. The tourists played thirteen matches during August and September; they won six, lost five and two were drawn. The first match was played against the Montreal Cricket Club, 16-17 August 1886. It ended in a draw after which the West Indians moved on to Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton.They arrived in the United States to play several matches in Philadelphia where the cricket culture was well established. Local clubs proved too strong an opposition for the tourists. The press was encouraging but made it clear that the islanders were out of their depth. It was an important tour for the first West Indians cricketers. It was the first international step in an apprenticeship that lasted decades. The English decided, finally, to host the West Indians in 1900. This book speaks to the Canadian and American beginning of the West Indian cricket culture that was to emerge a century later as the most powerful performance force the game had ever seen.

The 2007 World Cup changed the terms of the debate around cricket. For India, the tournament turned out to be a national tragedy; for the first time in years there was a palpable weakening of the foundations of the country's universal obsession. For the hosts, West Indies, it almost put an end to the dream of creating a unified political, social and economic entity. For Australia, the world cup triumph was accompanied by a sense of deja vu which was evident in the muted celebrations. In the final analysis, for reasons of money, the ninth edition of the cup was bloated to accommodate sixteen teams for over a month and a half. Yet the tournament had no distinctive quality and no particular innovation, its format was dull and its title rendered meaningless in the process. What it did generate was heated discussions about the market, about the nature of profits, and about sportsmanship or the increasing lack of it. He examines the controversial legacy of the tournament and the importance of cricket, if any, in the shaping of contemporary societies.