The Greatest Ashes Battles: From Melbourne 1877 to the Oval 2009

"The Greatest Ashes Battles" celebrates 15 of the most gripping Test matches played in the 130 years of Anglo-Australian cricket rivalry, spanning the period from the inaugural Test at Melbourne in 1877 to England's ghost-laying triumph at Lord's in 2009. These great Tests have been selected to achieve a balance in period, place and outcome; all characterized by fluctuating fortunes, epic performances, close finishes and absorbing subplots on and off the field. The structure of the book is chronological, and the matches are set within the context of Anglo-Australian Test cricket history. In addition to providing incisive match reports and full match scorecards, the book discusses all the crucial issues such as national versus regional loyalties in both countries, professionalism and amateurism, player dissent, cronyism, selection and captaincy debates, uncovered pitches, slow over rates and intimidatory bowling.