The Tour

The Story of the England Cricket Team Overseas 1877-2022

Simon Wilde author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Simon & Schuster Ltd

Published:18th Jan '24

£12.99

Available for immediate dispatch.

This paperback is available in another edition too:

The Tour cover

WINNER OF THE MCC / CRICKET SOCIETY BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 

LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK THE YEAR AWARD 


An England cricket tour is a phenomenon with few parallels. England's Test, one-day and Twenty20 sides are typically overseas for around 150 days a year, playing anywhere from Barbados to Brisbane, Cape Town to Colombo. Since 1877, they have fulfilled more than 1,000 fixtures away from home. 

In this definitive history, Simon Wilde explores England's tours from every angle. He celebrates the great team performances and individual feats - from James Lillywhite to Ben Stokes, every captain has aspired to venture abroad and return a hero - but also tells of adventure and misadventure, mishaps and scandal. 

Even though the modern-day tour resembles a business trip rather than the great voyages of the past, they remain fragile enterprises and the mental toll can be heavy. As international cricket faces competition from franchise tournaments around the world, is the future of the tour in jeopardy? 

'A fine and comprehensive history' 
The Times 

 

‘This entertaining account is as much social history as sports reporting, as he engagingly dissects the various political, economic, social and practical aspects of sending England teams around the world, as well as delving into how England teams can be successful overseas’ * Country Life *
‘A superbly researched mix of analysis and anecdote . . . hugely readable and highly recommended’

  * Cricketer *
‘No sport has tours like cricket tours . . . which is why Simon Wilde’s comprehensive history of the English cricket team abroad is so packed with interest . . . Riveting’

  * Daily Mail *
'A fine and comprehensive history . . . plenty of fun tales'  * The Times *

ISBN: 9781471198502

Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 35mm

Weight: unknown

592 pages