Written from the unique point of view of the club chairman, A Year in the Life of Somerset County Cricket Club is the story of the highs and lows of county cricket. Somerset County Cricket Club was founded in 1875 and since then has provided its many members and supporters with countless memories. In recent years the Club has established itself as one of the leading clubs in England, closely competing for honours every season and developing many young players through its age-group and Academy system. The Club has simultaneously transformed its fortunes off the pitch, managing to redevelop the County Ground in Taunton without freighting itself with large debts. In October last year the ECB granted Somerset Provisional Category B status, meaning it can now progress towards hosting England ODIs and T20 fixtures, which will bring many benefits to the West Country. This book provides a captivating insight into the daily workings in and around the Club throughout 2012 as it meets numerous challenges and prepares future plans. All royalties from sales of this book have been kindly donated by the author to the Clowance charity that promotes youth cricket.

The Shorter Wisden is a compelling distillation of what's best in its bigger brother. Available from all major eBook retailers, Wisden's digital version includes the influential Notes by the Editor, all the front-of-book articles, reviews, obituaries and all England's Tests from the 2013 season.

England's back-to-back Ashes victories, coupled with winning the 2010 World Twenty20, might give the impression that all is well in English cricket. But behind the headlines is another story: that of a county game struggling to cope with unprecedented levels of debt, a decline in membership and attendances, and the demands on players and spectators of an unsustainable fixture schedule. As a member of the ECB's Board of Directors admitted, 'English cricket is at something of a crossroads.' In this new book, Graeme Wright, a former editor of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and author of Betrayal: The Struggle for Cricket's Soul, takes to the road to speak to those at the coalface of English county cricket. What he discovers there is not just a sport in crisis, but 18 complex organisations coming to terms with the reality of an ever-changing commercial world. And yet, perhaps surprisingly, he finds himself buoyed by a feeling of optimism. As the counties reposition their roles, not just in cricket but also within their local communities, there is something new and hopeful on the horizon. As Wright explores the world behind the boundary, he finds himself taking an affectionate - though not uncritical - look at England itself, as well as the best-loved game at its heart.

Annual Obituary documents the passing of men and women of achievement from all walks of life. By providing current, in-depth biographies of notable international individuals, Annual Obituary offers researchers, biographers, journalists and librarians complete biographical essays often within months of a person's death. Each successive volume builds on this unique permanent biographical collection.