Every cricket lover, for better or worse, has their year. The year it all fell into place or all fell apart. A year of triumph or disaster; of tragedy or comedy. This being cricket, there's normally a bit of everything. A series of writers, poets, musicians, comedians, and ex-players – plus the odd England captain – have come together to produce a collection of personal essays, using the game of cricket as the backdrop to tell their own stories. 50 voices for 50 years: each one delving int...

"Everyone has moments in life where everything changes. When the sky color changes, the air smells different, and our view of the world is somehow different. Ultimately this book is a story about one of those moments, and how suddenly I realized we might not make it home." –Phil Walker 2011Four friends connected by the bonds of motorcycle adventure head off on what initially seems like a weekend of companionship and fun in the Appalachian Mountains. The mountains, and their unpredi...

Scott Quinnell's book is called The Hardest Test. It is the story of how he became a successful rugby player, in spite of having to fight against learning difficulties at school. When he retired in 2005 he continued his battle with dyslexia in order to change both his and his children's lives for ever.Rugby player Scott Quinnell played for the Llanelli Scarlets and played for his country, Wales, fifty-two times. He was also a British lion. He reached the very top of his sport befor...

Matthew Hayden was one of the most commanding batsmen the game has ever seen - and one of its great enigmas.A religious man and a ruthless on-field sledger. A brutal enforcer, and a soft-hearted family man. Australian record-holder for highest score in Tests and One Day Internationals, who was at times troubled by self-doubt and doubters.In Standing My Ground Hayden confronts these contradictions head-on. He talks frankly about the forces that shap...

Voted the greatest English cricketer of the 20th century by the fans, Sir Ian Botham is the English game's one true living legend and his story both on and off the pitch reads like a Boy's Own rollercoaster ride.Born with a natural genius for cricket, Botham began breaking records with bat and ball from a young age and soon became the man English cricket expected most from. After a troubled period as England's captain, Botham rose once again to become a national hero with ...

Bumble is back! The funny, forthright and not infrequently filthy author of best-seller ‘Start the Car’ and star of Sky Sports returns with a new collection of yarns from his years at the crease and at the microphone. It’s the book that Bumble’s many fans have been longing forAfter three long years, Bumble is finally back! The outspoken author of best-seller ‘Start the Car’ returns with a whole new cricket bag full of yarns from his years on the pitch and in the commentary box.

A hilarious collection of rude, crude, famous and infamous 'sledges' - a must-have for every cricket tragic.In these days of cricketing correctness and codes of behaviour being handed down by the Cricket Police, here is a salute to the good old days when games were won and lost by whatever means available.With a great one-liner on every page, this is a collection of crude, rude, famous and infamous sledges from the world of cricket. It's a book that will co...

Graeme Swann's transformation from international outsider to England's primary match-winner and undisputed best spin bowler in the world has been remarkably rapid. Within two years of his 2008 Test debut, he had become his country's most reliable bowler, made the shortlist for the ICC's cricketer of the year award and claimed an Ashes-sealing wicket. Yet the script took many twists and turns along the way.Drafted into the squad for the full tour of South Africa in 1999-2000. Swann'...

Bat, Ball and Field is a wonderful foray into the history and culture of cricket.‘Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best’ CricketerChronicling the evolution of the sport since its earliest years, highlighting transcendent moments as well as tragedies, Jon Hotten lifts the seemingly impregnable veil from the Laws, batting strokes, types of bowling and the sometimes absurd names given to where fielders stand, allowin...

Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff is one of the most exciting cricketers in the world and has improved out of all recognition during the last two years. In 2003, he was England's best player at the World Cup. Then, explosively, he lit up the second half of the summer in 2004, lifting spirits at Lord's with a bat-smashing 142. He walked off with the England man of the series award and averages to flaunt. This book marks his story so far in his own words, taking us up to and including the summer of ...

In this anecdotal book, the unstoppable Dickie Bird takes one County Cricket Club at a time and revisits each with the aid of memorabilia, statistics, books and videos. A mass of new hilarious stories flow from Dickie as he flexes his memory: he describes the cricketers, the matches and the character of these clubs. Dickie also relives his journeys as a umpire to clubs and Test match arenas overseas and recalls the humorous times that have filled his unique career. A must have for cricket ...

A laugh-out-loud collection of tales from the crease, the stumps and the pub, from the inimitable Skull.From the pitch to the commentary box, Kerry 'Skull' O'Keeffe has covered Australian cricket from every angle for more than thirty years. His distinctive laugh, his self-deprecating humour and his incisive opinions have made his commentary of the game essential summer listening for cricket fans all over the country.Skullduggery brings together Skull's priceless columns for the Sund...