Best Cricket Books To Read In 2020

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Kevin Pietersen, Shane Warne ,Ricky Ponting and Joe Root have all written some of the best cricket books to read in the UK in 2020.

Best Cricket Books You Should Read In 2020

Reading is one of the best ways to improve your knowledge and grow your vocabulary. Indulging in some of the best written cricket books is no different. The six books that we will explore in this article are all beautifully written and will keep you interested for days on end.

Controversy, success and leadership are three common themes running through these six novels. All these books can pretty much be described as an autobiography.

So, why not sit back and let yourself be entertained by this magnificent 6?

Kevin Pietersen: The Autobiography

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 09: Kevin Pietersen poses during his book signing at Waterstones Canary Wharf Jubilee on October 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Kevin Pietersen has often been described a strong and abrasive character. To some extent, this can be viewed as true. His own close friend, Piers Morgan, even admitted that he does possess such qualities.

However, what Pietersen has always been is very straightforward and truthful. No sugarcoating and no lies. His book, by nature is no different. The book goes into details of his cricketing career, including his sacking in 2014 by the England Cricket Board, without good reason.

It goes through the highs and lows of his career and his childhood. A very, very good read for all Kevin Pietersen lovers.

Ricky Ponting: At The Close Of Play

Ricky Ponting is one of Australia’s most successful captains of all-time. His batting ability is also well evidenced by his statistics and success on the big stage. In this adventurous novel, Ponting looks back at both his life and his career.

Being a captain, the book also offers insight into the more finer details of the job that he had and the leadership required to succeed. He also delves into the lessons learnt during his time in the tenure.

The book is beautifully written from start to finish and also includes insights into the players he rated most from his oppositions.

 

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Shane Warne: No Spin

Australian cricketing great Shane Warne (L) chats with a customer during a book signing event for his new autobiography titled “No Spin”, in Melbourne on October 19, 2018. – Warne, Test cricket’s second-most prolific wicket-taker with 708 scalps, in his new book has endorsed one of the most controversial figures in cricketing history, while also renewing his decades-old feud with former captain Steve Waugh. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Shane Warne is the greatest leg-spinner in the history of test cricket. He has taken 708 wickets for Australia. His book entails all of this and so much more. “Warnie” as he is fondly known as described his cricketing career from 1992 to 2013.

A tough, uncompromising character on the field and off the field, Warne leaves no stone turned in his autobiography. His fond friend, Mark Nicholas helped write the book but ensured that it stayed true to character.

The Indian Premier League, The Ashes, match-fixing and relationships all feature prominently within the book.

Richie Benaud: My Spin On Cricket

A personal favourite book of mine, having read it in great detail multiple times. Richie Benaud was one of the most respected players and commentators in the game. He was known as the voice of cricket and his stories were always amazing to listen to.

One of the best things that his book involves, is Richie himself playing selector of a test team. He assembles one of the best test teams of all-time, only from players that he either played with or watched.

Richie Benaud delves deep into how he made it as a television broadcaster and how not to take yourself too seriously in the job. Like all of the best cricket books, it engages readers on parts that might otherwise seam tedious and self-centred.

 

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Sachin Tendulkar: Playing It My Way

Sachin Tendulkar's autogiography, Playing It My Way, is one of the best cricket books to read for Indian fans in the UK in 2020.
Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (C) along with his elder brother Ajit (L) smiles as his wife Anjali narrates an anecdote about him at the launch event of his autobiography “Playing It My Way”, in Mumbai on November 5, 2014. Former Indian cricketing great Tendulkar has launched a scathing criticism of Greg Chappell’s conduct as India’s cricket coach, saying the former Australian great tried to disrupt the team by having senior players thrown out. In his autobiography, Tendulkar describes Chappell as a “ringmaster who imposed his ideas on the players without showing any signs of being concerned about whether they felt comfortable or not”. AFP PHOTO/ INDRANIL MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

In some experts eyes,’ the finest batsmen since Sir Donald Bradman.

Sachin Tendulkar is seen by many as the god of cricket, especially in India. He scored 100 centuries and achieved pretty much everything that there was in the game.

His book entails his extraordinary cricketing career, which spanned from 1989 to 2013. Some of the major events covered in the book include the summer of 2002, the Indian Premier League and the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Perhaps a lot more calming than the other books reviewed in this article, but still one of the best cricket books to get your hands on!

Andrew Strauss: My Driving Ambition

Andrew Strauss is accredited for one of England’s finest achievements in the modern era. He beat Australia in the Ashes as captain, both home and away. His 2009 and 2010/11 test series wins were both dominating and destructive.

His autobiography talks about his cricketing career and his life, both in England and in South Africa. A strong contrast between the two countries makes this a strong book to read for any neutral, in terms of realising the different cultures and ways of living.

It also talks about his struggles in ODI cricket and the people that he admired growing up.

We hope you enjoyed our collection of the best cricket books available to read in the UK and worldwide in 2020.

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