
The Tour
The Story of the England Cricket Team Overseas 1877-2022
Simon Wilde(Author)
Simon & Schuster Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 18. January 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
592 pages
978-1-4711-9850-2 (ISBN)
Description
WINNER OF THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER OF THE MCC / CRICKET SOCIETY BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER OF THE HEARTACHES' CRICKET 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
WINNER OF THE MCC / CRICKET SOCIETY BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER OF THE HEARTACHES' CRICKET 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
Reviews / Votes
'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 *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
2x8pp Colour
Dimensions
Height: 130 mm
Width: 198 mm
Thickness: 41 mm
Weight
440 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4711-9850-2 (9781471198502)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2023
Simon + Schuster LLC
€9.02
Available for download
Person
Simon Wilde is a journalist and author. He has written for The Times and Sunday Times since 1998, and is currently the latter's cricket correspondent. Three of his books have been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award, and his most recent book was the acclaimed England: The Biography. He lives in Hampshire.