About the Author

Simon Wilde is a journalist and author. He has written for The Times and Sunday Times since 1998, and is currently the latter's cricket correspondent. Three of his books have been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award, and his most recent book was the acclaimed England: The Biography. He lives in Hampshire.

Reviews

'An astonishing work of research, detail and revelation. Bulging with information, packed with nuggets.'
*Sun*

'Superbly researched piece of work by Simon Wilde. His eye for detail never wavers; he never cuts any corners. It’s a pleasure to read but also works as a reference book.'
*Observer*

The Cricket Book of the Year: 'At once dauntingly comprehensive and surprisingly light-footed.'
*Daily Telegraph*

'He has done a fabulous job with this book. Inevitably, history reveals historical patterns.'
*The Cricketer*

'A meaty book, and it has to be. Wilde tells the story with clarity and a pleasing lack of bias.'
*The Times*

'Another wonderful sports book on the shelves this summer is a brilliantly presented history of English cricket written by Simon Wilde. Not only does it cover all the major matches, issues and controversies of our national summer game, it is also speckled liberally with fascinating lists and statistics... The book is simply a treat.'
*Sunday Express*

'Fellow [cricket] tragics will love this book, issued in the summer of England’s 1,000th Test match. Even the title – England: The Biography – deserves a round of applause for presuming that the nation is synonymous with cricket... The book’s greatest joys are its footnotes.'
*Mail on Sunday*

‘A well-written, engaging, analytical narrative rich in opinion and revealing facts’
*Country Life*

'An impressive and comprehensive gem...superbly researched and brilliantly delivered. It is going to...be indispensable. It needs to be read, and it deserves to sell well.'
*The Cricketer*

'A collection of 35 thematic chapters rather than a chronological narrative and is packed full of stats and fascinating details.'
*Mail on Sunday, Sports Books of the Year*

'His story of the England cricket team's development is not just highly informative but offers a valuable and lasting perspective... Here is a book that all those writing about the game will want in their laptops as well as their libraries. The book that Wilde was destined to write, a reminder that he is surely the finest editor that Wisden Cricketers Almanack never had; perhaps there is still time.'
*Cricinfo*

‘A well-written, engaging, analytical narrative rich in opinion and revealing facts’
*Country Life*