Product Description

This trail-blazing book is likely to become the definitive manual on playing and coaching cricket. It represents the first time that a cricket coach and a sports scientist (both world experts in their field) have combined their experience, insights and wisdom to create what is probably the most comprehensive and complete book on playing and coaching cricket anywhere in the world. Unlike many other coaching manuals, this book does not simply supply technical 'recipes' for batting, bowling and fielding (although these are thoroughly covered).The goal is to develop true 'all-rounders' - players who show not only technical but mental strength, and who are as physically fit and injury-resistant as possible. The mental, scientific, biomechanical and medical aspects of the game are discussed in detail. Although scientifically and technically thorough, the book is written in a lively style; there are summaries, explanatory illustrations (photographs and diagrams), anecdotes and handy tips from some of the game's greatest players and characters.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12149 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 650 pages

Review
'It is to be hoped that this work will inspire and educate future generations of cricketers and coaches.' --All Out Cricket

Review
'...a compulsory text for those hoping to make their way in the game.'

Review
'...the most comprehensive book on playing and coaching cricket published to date.'

Customer Reviews

The most important book about cricket in 25 years
"The most important book about cricket in 25 years": can it really be this good?
Yes, yes, yes.
What Woolmer has done is to take cricket and completely rethink it, using all sorts of fields: psychology (visualising techniques), physics (reverse swing), historical analysis (comparing Ian Botham's tips on batting in 1980 with the Reverend James Pycroft's in 1851), statistics (there's no advantage in winning the toss in a one day match!) and fusing them altogether with experience of being at the top of international sport.
He's got view on everything, from which ball of an over one should play a premeditated shot in a ODI (the 1st or the 6th), which guard you should take (leg stump ahead of middle or middle and leg), to how to bowl an over in a 'set' so as to trap the batsman at the end.
I would say every ten pages, he comes up with something utterly new and original, on all sorts of fields: from why Bradman averaged 40 runs more than anyone else, to why McGrath had Atherton's number, to how you should bowl at someone when they are completely set and don't look like getting out.
He's continually illuminating, continually original, and frequently goes against the grain of 'orthodox' cricket coaching (e.g. you shouldn't worry about taking the bat directly back in the backlift: top players tend to take it back towards 2nd slip...the bottom hand is more significant than the top hand in batting... don't put your foot to the pitch of the ball...)
Clearly, this is most a book for people who are seriously interested in cricket, but it's just a brilliant example of someone taking a subject and completely rethinking it. Almost every facet of the game is something he's considered, practised and now written up for everyone to read (presumably dictating to the authors).
It's an absolute classic, ideal for dipping into, as it's written in small chunks.
A perfect gift for a cricket lover, or a real treat if you actually play.
It may look imposing at 700 pages, but it's simply brilliant.

woolmer for king!
This book deals with aspects of the game not dealt with elsewhere -
This is a must-have book for any keen cricketer
Difficult techniques are very well explained with very good diagrams
No coach should be without it.

Cracking
I would recommend this book to anyone that is thinking about playing cricket, plays cricket or coaches cricket. It is an absolute marvel. It contains everything from mental strength for playing the game and covers all techniques for batsmen, bowlers and fielders. Excellently layed out and explained, Bob Woolmer's cricketing mind is illustrated for all to see and benefit from. If you are a cricket nut this is the book for you.