Several generations of Australian cricket fans have wondered why the Ashes, the supposed trophy for the Test Series between Australia and England, remain in London, having only visited Australia twice in over one hundred years, despite Australian victories. Burning the Bails recounts for the first time the true story behind the Ashes: that wooden bails were burnt by Lady Janet Clarke on Christmas Eve 1882 at her home, Rupertswood, in Sunbury, Victoria, after a social cricket match between some local lads and the visiting England team. Her son, Russell aged six, was witness to their burning. The Rupertswood Ashes were presented to the Honorable Ivo Bligh, the England captain, by Lady Janet, as a personal memento of his victory that Christmas Eve - but also as a joke. That August in 1882, following Australias unexpected defeat of England on home turf at The Oval, an English journalist had written a fake death notice for English cricket! 'The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia,' it had declared factiously. The Rupertswood Ashes that Lady Janet Clarke created that Christmas Eve in 1882 were kept by the England captain as his personal property until his death. They were never intended to be the actual trophy for the England/Australia Test Series, although an exact replica of the Rupertswood ashes is today given to the winner of the Series. Burning the Bails is a fictionalised account of the story, told from the perspective of six-year-old Russell Clarke. The picture book story is supported by pages of historical facts gleaned from Clarke family documents, as well as rare, original family photographs, including one of Russell, his older brother Clive, stumps, bails and a cricket bat.

Sports economics is a well-established and dynamic area of study; a key component in the fields of sport management, sport science and sport studies, as well as in other areas of economics, finance and management. Covering amateur to professional sports, individual events and organised tournaments, this Handbook provides an authoritative contribution to the understanding of sport in the economy. The editors of The SAGE Handbook of Sports Economics have brought together a global team of respected scholars to create this benchmark collection of insights into sports economics. Each chapter includes a study of a specific context in which issues arise in sports economics, a critical presentation of its main theoretical contributions, an overview of current research findings, and an outline of enquiry for future research. PART I: The Nature and Value of the Sports System and Economy PART II: Amateur Sports Participation, Supply and Impact PART III: Professional Team Sports PART IV: Professional Sports Leagues PART V: Sports Events and their Impacts PART VI: Individual Sports PART VII: Future Research

Sledging is the art of verbally intimidating a batsman so that he loses his concentration and gets himself out. It is also known as the art of initiating mental disintegration. The Sledger's Handbook is an absolutely hilarious romp through the history of the cricketing insult, from WG Grace to Shane Warne and his contemporaries. Who said cricket was a gentleman's game?

ÔSšderman and Dolles have assembled an impressive array of researchers to address the nexus between sport and business. In their rich collection of research on sport business theory and practice Sšderman and Dolles identify research themes from governance to branding, from sport events to sport systems, and from social media to fan identity, and they specifically reflect on the application of major theoretical concepts and key research methods. The authorsÕ aim is to advance sport business research through critical reflection on topic selection, research design, data analysis and interpretation. Their unique approach encourages researchers, from novice to experienced, to embrace diverse theories and methods. The Handbook is recommended reading for those interested in advancing sport business research.Õ Ð Graham Cuskelly, Griffith University, Australia ÔThis insight-laden volume encompasses today's and tomorrow's research across the multifaceted landscape of the business side of sport -- from branding and sponsorship to media and technology, from club management to governance. It effectively encompasses both theory and practice. Scholars, students, and practitioners will find this cogent collection of international consumer and business research knowledge and perspectives both informative and useful.Õ Ð Stephen A. Greyser, Harvard Business School, US ÔThis Handbook directly responds to the rapid professional, commercial and international development of sport. With its thoughtful structure, comprehensive coverage of topics and renowned contributors it offers a thorough analysis on the management challenges in the field. It also offers very valuable insights and guidance how the business of sport can be researched by students, academics and practitioners around the world. The book is simply a must-read for anyone interested in the management aspects of sports.Õ Ð Yoshiaki Takahashi, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan This Handbook draws together top international researchers and discusses the state of the art and the future direction of research at the nexus between sport and business. It is heavily built upon choosing, applying and evaluating appropriate quantitative as well as qualitative research methods for practical advice in sport and business research. Topics covered for analysis include sports governance, regulation and performance; media and technology; club management and team structure; place, time and spectators of sporting events; and sport branding and sponsoring. The Handbook covers research examples from elite sport to the amateur level, and from different sports, from cycling to cricket, from ice hockey to motorsports, and from football to skiing. It will be read and used by academics and PhD students as well as sports practitioners looking for useful ways of expanding knowledge, conducting research or searching for insights into the challenges of managing sport.

The Television Handbook is a critical introduction to the practice and theory of television. The book examines the state of television today, explains how television is made and how production is organised, and discusses how critical thinking about programmes and genres can illuminate their meanings. This book also explores how developments in technology and the changing structure of the television industry will lead the medium in new directions. The Television Handbook gives practical advice on many aspects of programme making, from an initial programme idea through to shooting and the post-production process. The book includes profiles giving insight into how personnel in the television industry - from recent graduates to television executives - think about their work. The Television Handbook offers chapters on the vigorous debates about what is meant by quality television, how news and factual programmes are responding to interactive technologies, and how formats such as Reality/Talent TV have risen in prominence. It also considers how drama, sport and music television can be discussed and interpreted. The Television Handbook includes: Profiles of TV news and drama producers, editors and TV studio personnel Case histories of important TV genres and series Practical programme making advice Explanations of key theoretical perspectives in television studies