Stocking fillers to please cricket-lovers this festive season.
Star turns
Two autobiographies; two entertaining (and very different) reads
NO SPIN: MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Shane Warne with Mark Nicholas
Ebury Press
RRP £20
Arguably the greatest spinner in Test-match history, Shane Warne has long desired to tell his incredible story without compromise. No Spin is that story, which offers a compelling, intimate voice and pitch-side access to one of cricket’s finest eras, making this one of the year’s must-have sports autobiographies. A brutally honest and gripping read.
MOEEN
Moeen Ali with Mihir Bose Allen & Unwin
RRP £20
In his eagerly awaited autobiography, superstar Moeen Ali traces his inspiring journey from amateur street cricketer to international athlete. Talented, tenacious and thoughtful, Moeen is a true all-rounder.
Lord’s it up
From tea towels to turf there’s something for everyone
‘LOVE LORD’S’ RANGE, ‘PAVILION’ RANGE, REPLICA ASHES URN, LORD’S GENUINE TURF GLASS PAPERWEIGHT
From £2
Lord’s shop
For anyone with a soft spot for the Home of Cricket, Lord’s offers an extensive range of gifts including stationery, magnets, key rings, cups and tea towels. And for the cricket tragics amongst us, choose from an incredibly realistic replica Ashes urn or a glass paperweight containing a small but perfectly formed (and 100 per cent genuine) sod from the Lord’s outfield.
Go pro!
Inspirational and elite coaching for amateur players
PROATAR GIFT CERTIFICATES
From $50 (approximately £39)
Proatar.com/gifts
Proatar is a new coaching and mentoring app connecting amateur cricketers with current and former international players and coaches. Users can send a video to the ‘elite mentor’ of their choice through the app and within 14 days they receive unique, bespoke and detailed feedback. Proatar’s impressive stable includes Rohit Sharma, Kumar Sangakkara, Mike Hussey, Charlotte Edwards and many more. There are two gift options: gift consultation (a video consultation with a specific elite) or gift certificate of Proatar credits (a contribution towards a consultation).
Words of Wisden
There’s no better way to relax after a suitably substantial Christmas lunch than with a good book from the most trusted name in cricket writing
WISDEN CRICKETERS’ ALMANACK
£35 / £25 when you subscribe (RRP £55)
The ultimate cricket compendium, packed with reports, stats, articles and opinion pieces, the Almanack is the gift that keeps on giving. This year, Anya Shrubsole became the first woman to feature on the front cover.
WHAT DID YOU SAY STOPPED PLAY?
£8.99 (RRP £9.99)
It’s normal for rain to stop play in cricket. But that’s not all: flying objects, passing dictators, animals of all kinds including a very improbable tiger – they have all had the same effect. But even when the game keeps going, cricket is a magnet for the weird and wonderful. Perfect for postprandial browsing.
THE NIGHTWATCHMAN 2018 COLLECTION
£36.95 when you use coupon code WCM14 (RRP £41.95)
Wisden’s quarterly is an eclectic collection of the very best long-form cricket writing. Contributors include not only established cricket journalists but also former players, novelists, poets, academics, musicians and even knights of the realm!