From its impenetrable beginnings to Australia's world supremacy of the present day, cricket has possessed a unique appeal. For followers of Test matches or one-day internationals, or for the deckchair enthusiast who simply savours the unpredictability of an afternoon contest on the village green, it has timeless qualities and utter fascination. A History of Cricket portrays the game's progress from Grace to Warne. It charts the development of Test matches and the influence of successive world record holders like Don Bradman, Len Hutton, Gary Sobers and Brian Lara. And it traces the history of the Ashes from their conception to England's epic triumph in 2005. This book portrays many of the greatest cricketers, and admires some of the world's finest grounds. It considers the global development of the game and the recent proliferation of international matches. A History of Cricket is a must read, not only for connoisseurs of the game but for recent converts who want to know more about it.