Every player loves a cricket Christmas present, or at least the idea of one.

Players might hope for a top of the range bat but end up with a clock made out of a cricket ball. Thanks Mum.

Not this year though. This article is designed to help anyone who is wondering what to buy their favourite cricket loving friend or relation. Leave the naff memorabilia in the shop this year and get something they really love: Improved cricketing skills.

(And if you are a cricketer yourself wanting to drop a hint, why not print this article and slip it somewhere your present buyer will see it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?)

The book is perhaps the greatest stand-by present ever. But leave the boring autobiography of the 24 year old opening batsman behind and get something that can really help:

• Bob Woolmer's Art and Science of Cricket
• Chappell on Coaching: The Making of Champions
• The Fast Bowler's Bible
• Cricket Coachmaster: Batting Mechanics
• The Art of Captaincy
• SAQ Cricket: Speed, Agility and Quickness For Cricket
• The Art of Wrist Spin Bowling
• Think Cricket: Compete Mentally
• Zone Mind, Zone Body: How to Break Through to New Levels of Fitness and Performance - by Doing Less!

Not as easy to open as a book, these training courses make a unique present for aspiring cricketers.

The courses are all delivered online through video, audio and articles by our team of highly qualified and experienced coaches. Coaches who would cost a fortune to gain access to normally, but with the power of the web, available at a fraction of their normal price.

You can pay for a login and password, handing it over on Christmas day. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving:

• Improve your batting with simple changes to your setup
• How to play the perfect on, off and straight drive
• Build confidence with solid defensive technique and tactics
• How to bat in Twenty20 cricket
• The complete guide to effectively playing spin bowling
• Alvin Kallicharran on cricket 

• How to bowl faster
• Consistency and Rhythm: Fast Bowling Technique
• Fast bowling fundamentals
• Spin Bowling Tips

• Strength and conditioning for cricket at all levels
• Cricket Captaincy by Mike Brearley
• How to use mental training to boost your game
• Fielding: The Derek Randall Way

So now you know. The best gift for the club or school player is the chance to get a few more runs and wickets this summer. They will still be thanking you for months to come.