Jimmy Anderson - Finding The Edge

 

Jimmy Anderson - Finding The Edge

According to Google Gemini, Jimmy Anderson's latest cricket stats are as follows: Jimmy Anderson retired from international Test cricket in July 2024 with 704 wickets in 188 matches. He continues playing domestically for Lancashire, where his 2026 season stats include 38 wickets across 8 bowling matches in the County Championship at a 17.26 average. It's an impressive read, as this book is, admittedly. This is the second biography about James ‘Jimmy’ Anderson, one of England's greatest cricketers, and having not even read the first one, I can confidently state this is probably the best book of the two. Written by Jimmy’s podcast pal Felix White, the Maccabees indie guitarist is also a dab hand at scribing, with a captivating narrative that touches on Jimmy’s childhood dreams, vulnerability (both as a person and within the game) and successes on and off the crease. We get Jimmy, and we get James - two sides of the same cricket coin, but James appears to be more introspective than the enigmatic Jimmy we got on the pitch. The chapters are short - this is a T20 book, rather than an epic Test match, but, in my opinion, that makes it all the more enjoyable. Bookended by his Test career, you’d think this is the end of the story, but as those stats tell us, book three can't be that far away. This is the best cricket book I've read thus far.

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Pack Your Bags, Brother - The cricketing journey of Mark Alleyne

 

Pack Your Bags, Brother - The cricketing journey of Mark Alleyne

Mark Alleyne was one of the most successful captains in the history of county cricket, leading the little-fancied Gloucestershire to seven trophies in six years. Now he has returned to Gloucestershire as Head Coach, the county winning a further trophy in his first year back. Here in Pack Your Bags, Brother, he talks about his life and shares the story of those successes: from his formative years in Barbados and the ground-breaking Haringey Cricket College, to becoming Gloucestershire’s youngest centurion, playing alongside Courtney Walsh and Jack Russell, then leading the county in those golden years. A deep thinker, interested in sports psychology, he reflects on his life story, the characters he has known, the nature of successful teamwork and the way the game has changed in the forty years since his county debut: the greater role of the coach and the impact of franchise cricket. The uplifting and thought-provoking story of a special and most popular cricketer, it also includes a wealth of thoughtful reflections on fellow players, developments within the game and lessons learned from a distinguished cricketing career on and off the field. Buy from Fairfield Books using coupon code FF2520 to get 20% off the RRP*.  *20% discount excludes p&p charges.

Ben Stokes On Fire My Story Of England's Summer to Remember

 

At the end of a phenomenal England Test cricket career (ended by theatrics at Trent Bridge) and (it seems) the dramatic end of Bazball, it's worth taking a look back, on this book blog, at only the second cricket book I ever read, 'On Fire' by Ben Stokes The narrative backbone of the book relies on two monumental events in English cricket: the dramatic 2019 World Cup Final at Lord's and the miraculous third Ashes Test at Headingly.

Ben's narrative takes the reader inside England's dressing room and onto the pitch, breaking down the tactical decisions and raw emotions behind his match-winning performances. His writing (assuming it's not ghostwritten?) essentially mirrors his playing style; honest, intense, and unfiltered- but it appears less muscular, less bullish, although not shying away from the immense mental burden of these high-stakes off-field moments. The book offers a more vulnerable look at what it means to wear an England test shirt and the national expectations that accompany it. Stokes also offers insight into his legendary 2019 teammates and the collective culture built under Eoin Morgan's captaincy. He frames his personal redemption not as an isolated achievement, but as a byproduct of a supportive group dynamic. Reading this gives an insight into the mentality that grew Ben into becoming one of the most successful England test captains of all time. 

Although only my second-ever cricket book, I was enamoured by the ball-by-ball tension, tactical insights, and the chance to learn about an England World Cup win I'm yet to watch. For your casual reader, I think this is a universal story about overcoming adversity, what sportsmanship really means, and the pride of being an England cricketer. As Stokes now faces a future out of the England test team set-up, and this book now being seven years old, can we expect a new book for the Christmas market covering 2019 - 2026; Bazball, the 2025 Ashes failure, and a rather chaotic end to a phenomenal all-rounder and cricketing career? I'd hope so!

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If you want to send me a cricket book to read, email: ryanoxleywriter@gmail.com 

'The Ashes Miscellany' by Clive Batty - I Don't Like Cricket - I Love it!

                                          

                                        

'I don't like Cricket - I love it' sang seminal 70s rock band 10cc, and alongside 'Soul Limbo' by Booker T and the MGs - these two songs are now soundtracks to my life - this being the first book I ever read about Cricket, and 2025 being the year I fell in love with this beautiful, quintessentially English, sport. With some trepidation about that year's Ashes and it being my first watch of Cricket's most famous clash, I found this book for 50p at a charity stall, and I'm very glad I did. 

Cricket Book 'The Ashes Miscellany' by Clive Batty is an absolute treat for any cricket enthusiast, particularly those with a fondness for the storied rivalry between England and Australia. Far from being a dry historical account, Batty delivers a delightful potpourri of facts, anecdotes, statistics, and quirky trivia that makes delving into the Ashes feel like a treasure hunt.

What sets this book apart is its digestible format. You can dip in and out, finding fascinating nuggets on every page without needing to follow a linear narrative. From obscure records and memorable quotes to profiles of unsung heroes and infamous incidents, Batty covers the spectrum of Ashes history with a light touch and an obvious passion for the game. Whether you're a seasoned follower who remembers every series or a newcomer like me, eager to understand the depth of this cricketing feud, there's something here to pique your interest.

The "miscellany" approach works brilliantly, preventing any one topic from overstaying its welcome and ensuring a constant stream of engaging content. It's the kind of book you keep on your coffee table, ready to pick up for a few minutes of cricketing pleasure. While it doesn't offer deep analytical insights, it excels at celebrating the unique spirit and enduring drama of the Ashes. A highly recommended read for anyone who loves cricket and its rich, often eccentric, history.

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