Cricket Sport

"This is going to be the most unique cricket tour since the Second World War.'' Ravi Shastri's prophetic words came true as India pulled off one of the greatest coups in cricketing history, beating Australia in Australia for the second time in three years, eventually breaching the Gabba fortress with what was eventually a skeleton team. Bharat was known as the 'Eyes and Ears of the Tour', being the only Indian-origin journalist covering this most memorable series live and seeing the drama unfold in real time.

Record-breaking England cricketer, wartime RAF hero, Tottenham Hotspur footballer, and husband to five wives... this is the captivating life of one of England's most remarkable yet often overlooked cricketing heroes. A history of cricket victories, explosive controversies, wartime glory and a life lived to the fullest, this compelling biography reveals the story of one of cricketing’s greatest characters.

This anthology of my father’s work is mainly comprised of articles, editor’s notes, short biographical sketches, and tributes written for or during his tenure as editor of the Journal of the Cricket Society. Unashamedly, it is a miscellany of writings; his "notes" which read like a commentary on the state of cricket between 1970 and 1984, and a tour de force of an eclectic, ever-curious mind focused on the abiding passion of his life - the summer game.

What is Cricket and how did it come about? What and more importantly who is involved in this sport? The 150 trivia questions audiobook brings hours of entertainment and fun knowledge about this amazing game.

From Lord’s to the Fjords is the uproarious tale of cricket in Iceland: how the national press believed a stag party from Oxford were the official England team, how Sky Sports accidentally sent a crew to televise an Icelandic Cricket Cup final that didn’t exist, how the lead singer of Iron Maiden flew a passenger jet into a match under the midnight sun, how Henry Blofeld umpired in a blizzard on top of an ice cap, how the Iceland team was sold to the world’s public and became a viral Twitter sensation (incurring the wrath of Jofra Archer)....

Not Just Cricket... by Vikram Dravid is a novel that weaves interlacing tales, riveting cricket games, and the realities of life. The stores and experiences of his vibrant characters exhort you to think beyond the mundane and get you to reflect upon the ultimate ride, life, and its very authentic challenges. Entertaining the listener with beautifully worded anecdotes and descriptions, this audiobook is a testament to self-empowerment and the importance of being true to oneself.

Eminent journalist Pradeep Magazine's memoir is a story of lived, real experiences, of joy, sorrow, fear, loss, and hope, and about how an uprooted identity shapes one's attitude towards society and the nation. From the Kashmir of the 1950s to terror-stricken Punjab, from the Mandir-Masjid divide and the impact of Mandal politics to the tragic consequences of the Kashmir situation-Magazine paints a fascinating portrait of modern India.

From the turbulent life of the late Shane Warne to the skill, mentality and character behind Pat Cummins' new-look captaincy, and through the decades to the wit, wisdom and genius of Sir Donald Bradman, Great Australian Cricket Achievers and Characters examines the career highs and lows of many of the game's big names.

On the 9th August 2013 the Australian cricket team will step onto the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground for a history making Ashes Test - the first ever on Durham soil. However there is a already a solid historical link between Australia and the county and nowhere is this more obvious than in ten matches arranged between Australia and a variety of sides in Sunderland between 1878 and 1977.

One of cricket's favourite characters pens an unpredictable collection of reflections. Like his bowling action, his unique turn of phrase and mischievous humour delivers a taxi ride from hell...the human clothes peg on strike...rogue room-mates...microphone mayhem...

Out of the box thinking, ruthless pragmatism and an innate ability to understand, define and then redefine the game of cricket are probably the hallmarks of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's cricket. From hitting countless sixes in his school ground in the sleepy town of Ranchi to finishing a run chase with another towering six in a World Cup final against Sri Lanka, Dhoni's journey is undoubtedly one of the most iconic of our times. Many have tried to decode his mystique, and yet, every account seems to have fallen frustratingly short of capturing the essence of the man.

Nick Compton had it all. A literal golden boy, to many observers it would seem that he was born to be a great in the sporting arena coming as he did from an incredible sporting ancestry. HIs grandfather Sir Denis Compton played cricket for England and football for Arsenal. Honed at an elite English boarding school, with a telegenic profile perfectly suited to the modern media environment, Nick appeared to be blessed with that rare ability to be able to stride out and face down the world's quickest bowlers, to survive and thrive in the danger zone at the hands of the hurtling new ball.

As a cricketer, broadcaster and celebrity jungle-dweller, Phil Tufnell has travelled the world far and wide. From the great cricket tours of Australia and South Africa to his equally memorable jaunts to Benidorm and Blackpool, Phil has spent much of his life living out of a suitcase, meeting a host of colourful and memorable characters along the way. The Tourist takes you out on the road, into the dressing room and behind the scenes of the commentary box to reveal just what really happens on Tour.

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 the game, 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 captain, Botham rose once again to become a national hero with his display in the Miracle Ashes of 1981.

Harold Larwood is an England cricketing legend. During the MCC’s notorious 1932–3 Ashes tour of Australia, his ‘Bodyline’ bowling left Australia’s batsmen bruised and battered, halved the batting average of the great Don Bradman – and gave England a 4–1 series victory. But the diplomatic row that followed brought Anglo-Australian relations to the brink of collapse. Larwood was used as a scapegoat by the MCC, which demanded he apologise for bowling Bodyline.

Perfect for cricket fans everywhere, Thanks, Johnners is a rich blend of biography and anecdote, of antics and dramas on and off the pitch, in and out of the commentary box, filled with stories about the great names of cricket, including Fred Trueman, Geoffrey Boycott, Vivian Richards, Michael Holding, and Ian Botham.

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 audiobook marks his story so far in his own words, taking us up to and including the summer of 2005.

Dickie Bird is not only the world's most famous cricket umpire, he is also one of the most entertaining public speakers of our time.

Henry Blofeld is one of the greatest characters in cricket. For nearly thirty years his distinctive rich, plummy voice and his famous expression 'My dear old thing!' have delighted the millions of listeners to BBC Radio's Test Match Special.

A hugely enjoyable and life-affirming memoir from the ever-popular ex-cricketer and now successful broadcaster. When Phil Tufnell hung up his cricket boots back in 2003, little did he know the dramatic direction his professional life would take next. Yet since being crowned "King of the Jungle" in I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, the ex-England spin bowler has never looked back and is now a much loved television and radio presenter.