THE CRICKETER'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

Pitch Publishing is a fantastic imprint.
They do all the great Got, Not Got series
and plenty of other retro sports titles.

James Brown, The Late Tackle, talkSPORT

Pitch Publishing show the way for enterprising
sports book publishers and remains a beacon
of hope for sports authors aspiring or established.

The Sports Bookshelf.com

Pitch Publishing, an outfit whose "pitch perfect"
commissioning of boxing material stands
as a rebuke to more established houses

Boxing Monthly

Pitch capture the real spirit of sport with entertaining
and clever ideas. They work out what the aficionado
would want to read, then deliver it with great verve.

Paul Hayward, The Daily Telegraph

Pitch have enabled me to write in the ways I enjoy most.
Their production support is superb, delivering eye-catching
designs, attentive proof-reading, energetic marketing and helpful advice.

Tim Quelch, Good Old Sussex by the Sea, Orient to the Emirates, Underdog!

Pitch are willing to back out-of-the-blue and innovative
ideas and turn them into viable, entertaining books.
They do so with great presentation and editorial flair.

Justin Parkinson, Then Came Massacre

Pitch saw the potential in my story, used their expertise
to polish it, published it and helped inspire thousands
around the world to get into the sport of triathlon.

Andy Holgate, Can’t Swim, Can’t Ride, Can’t Run & Can't Sleep, Can't Train, Can't Stop

The process of working with Pitch to produce Picking up the Threads
was enjoyable and rewarding, with the final edition surpassing
expectations and becoming a resounding success.

John Chandler, Picking up the Threads

Pitch will take a chance on books that other publishers won't
and realise that interest in football extends beyond the
Premier League and the top 20 countries in the FIFA rankings.

Steve Menary, Outcasts!

Pitch have the vision to look beyond the obvious,
seeking out interesting ideas and subjects and
matching them with the right target audience.

David Tossell, Tony Greig, The Great English Final, Grovel!, Natural

Pitch have been an absolute joy to work with,
contributing their passion, expertise, knowledge
and experience to help produce a brilliant book.

Sam Pilger, Ashes Match of My Life

Pitch took our original concept and further enhanced it,
using their knowledge, experience and expertise, and helped
make Got, Not Got one of the football books of the year for 2011.

Derek Hammond, Got, Not Got series of books

Pitch bought into the concept of development through football,
channeling profits and proceeds from Eleven into helping
some of the most disadvantaged young people in the world.

Steve Fleming, Eleven

In the highly competitive world of sport publishing,
Pitch have consistently demonstrated the happy
knack of spotting, nurturing and promoting winners.

Neil Dunkin, Anfield of Dreams

05 Jun

THE CRICKETER'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

The Cricketer has announced its picks for the 12 best cricket books of 2023, and we’re delighted to see three of the top six books are Pitch Publishing titles.

After reading and reviewing all of this year’s top cricket books to date, this highly respected, century-old publication narrowed its choice down to the best dozen books. Our three titles that made the final list are:

Disappearing World: Our 18 First-Class Cricket Counties

The Cricketer calls it: ‘A joyous eulogy… [Author] Scyld Berry is the best critical friend the game has known.’

Disappearing World is a heartfelt celebration of what county cricket has been for more than a hundred years – an integral part of English life. Threatened by the growth of T20 franchise tournaments and by the governing body's move to cut the championship to ten games a season, county cricket will only survive if it is fully appreciated.

How to be a Cricket Fan: A Life in 50 Artefacts from WG to Wisden

The Cricketer says: ‘Matthew Appleby describes how the game can become a near-obsession in this funny and sentimental chronicle, but there is far more to this affectionate book than a must-have list of memorabilia.’

How to be a Cricket Fan is the story of an English eccentric's journey from cricketing backwaters to entertaining the stars and becoming a leading authority on the game. Most people love sport – this is the tale of the ultimate fan before the internet made it easy.

Swallows and Hawke: England's Cricket Tourists, the MCC and the Making of South Africa 1888–1968

The Cricketer says: ‘The book rightfully places itself in the tradition of Mike Marqusee, Ramachandra Guha and Derek Birley. Packed with detail.’

Swallows and Hawke is the compelling story of cricket's second-oldest rivalry, exploring 15 English cricket tours to South Africa. It juxtaposes sensational action on the pitch with a kaleidoscope of player experiences – in jail or chased by rhinos – all framed within an analysis of racism, apartheid and African resistance.

Discover more great cricket books

Whether you're reading for entertainment or to learn – from biographies to history books, to light-hearted memoirs – there’s something for every cricket fan in our extensive cricketing catalogue. Find you new favourite cricket book now.