Further Cricket Reading

For more in depth analysis, another viewpoint and the ability to read anywhere, you can't beat a good cricket book. These books are the best of the crop for players looking to improve their games.

Captaincy

Mike Brearley - The Art of Captaincy
One of Englands finest captains outlines his thoughts on being the boss. Some of it is a little out of date now and the focus is clearly on the first-class and test games. Nevertheless it is an essential read for anyone who captains at any level. The insight is second to none.

Fitness

Alan Pearson - SAQ Cricket: Speed, Agility and Quickness For Cricket
Sound sport science principles lie beneath the SAQ system. An excellent aid to anyone wanting to improve conditioning in cricket.

Mike Boyle - Functional Training for Sport
Making your fitness 'functional' means making it specific to cricket. Mike Boyle explains in detail how you can do this for any sport. Mike covers the progression of strength, power and conditioning with clarity. It's designed for athletes to understand but you will need to know some of the basics of sport fitness principles to get the best from the book.

David Sandler - Sports Power
Sports Power is a great introduction to the theory and application of fitness training to improve strength, power, speed and agility. It doesn't refer to cricket specifically but is written in a way that allows you to apply it to any sport.

Psychology and Tactics

Rainer Martens - Coaches' Guide to Sport Psychology
This book is aimed at US sport coaches but it covers the basics so clearly without being patronising that it is an essential read. Anyone wanting to get the best out of sport psychology but with no background in it should pick this up.

Christopher Bazalgette - Think Cricket
This short book is packed with tips on cricket tactics for experienced players. While you are bound to know a few of the tricks I would challenge anyone to claim they knew everything. Particularly the slow bowling section.

Bowling

Ian Pont - The Fast Bowler's Bible
It might not be the gospel according to the MCC coaching book, but this book is all about bowling as fast as possible. If you are a bowler with good natural pace this book can help get you to express.

Other

Roy Palmer - Zone Mind, Zone Body
Practical advice and explanation on how to train your body and mind to get into the zone. While Roys ideas may seem a little leftfield to most cricketers, they are based on sound psychological and movement principles and proven to work. Highly recommended, especially if you are recovering from injury or in a form slump.

Tom Smith - New Cricket Umpiring and Scoring
Not just a book for umpires and scorers. All players should have a deep understanding of the laws - even if it is just to make sure someone doesn't get one over on you.

Ian Canaway - Cricket Secrets Revealed
A great e-book that covers the basics of technique, fitness and psychology specifically for cricket. If you want instant answers without detailed background explaination then this is excellent stuff.

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