50 Greatest Australian Cricketers

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them by virtue of their skills with ball and bat. This book is about the latter. Australia's favourite sport has a proud history of turning nobodies into somebodies and ordinary men and women into heroes of international renown. From the black-and-white belligerence of Ian Chappell to the colourful celebrity of Shane Warne, the diplomacy of Adam Gilchrist to the ruthlessness of Meg Lanning, the pantheon of Australia's greatest cricketers is as mottled as the crowds that cheer them on. But who is the greatest of them all? In The 50 Greatest Australian Cricketers, sports journalist and comedy writer Dan Liebke relives the careers, characteristics and enduring legacies of the finest Australian cricket players of the past 50 years.

They're the moments that make up Australian sporting folklore, the iconic events that stand out in Australia's collective sporting memory long after the match details have become a blur. Remember Shane Warne's ball of the century? Or Steve Waugh's century off the last ball? Where were you when John Dyson took his outfield catch? Or Ellyse Perry celebrated an Ashes double century - twice? How about Adam Gilchrist walking in a World Cup semi-final? Or Dennis Lillee kicking Javed Miandad? Steve Harmison's wide? Peter Siddle's birthday hat trick? Underarm?

Former England captain and impeccably stylish batsman David Gower, himself inducted into cricket’s Hall of Fame, here takes a leap of faith and names his 50 greatest players of all time. Going back through the history of the game, he honours the finest run-getters, wicket-takers, glove men and captains he played with and against, as well as those he has been able to observe as a spectator or commentator, and legendary achievers from earlier eras. Full of first-hand recollections and anecdotes, this book is sure to delight – and occasionally infuriate – cricket enthusiasts everywhere. Who was the best of the great West Indian quicks? Have England heroes like Boycott, Pietersen and Flintoff made the cut? Who has been the greatest Australian batsman, post-Bradman? All is revealed in this lively and contentious celebration of cricket’s true greats.

Meet Leonardo, an arty young quokka on Rottnest Island. Drawn by the bright city lights across the sea, Leo comes up with a dastardly plan to escape a life of endless selfies with tourists. He runs away to become a painter! But making it in the big smoke isn't as easy as he thought and soon Leo starts to wonder - is he such a clever quokka after all? Based on a true story, QUITE A CLEVER QUOKKA is for anyone who stays true to their dreams when the going gets tough.

From Alex Price's on-field karaoke session to Rob Quiney's resurrection of a dead seagull and Shane Watson's formidably funny front pad, these are the moments of physical slapstick and verbal repartee that make Australian cricket unique. Some moments are instant classics while some take decades to pay off and, naturally, some involve players getting hit in the nuts. In 100 Funniest Moments in Australian Cricket, sports journalist, comedy writer and well-known cricket tragic Dan Liebke takes us on a hilarious journey through cricket history, showing us that good cricket is good, but funny cricket is amazing.

Former England captain and impeccably stylish batsman David Gower, himself inducted into cricket’s Hall of Fame, here takes a leap of faith and names his 50 greatest players of all time. Going back through the history of the game, he honours the finest run-getters, wicket-takers, glove men and captains he played with and against, as well as those he has been able to observe as a spectator or commentator, and legendary achievers from earlier eras. Full of first-hand recollections and anecdotes, this book is sure to delight – and occasionally infuriate – cricket enthusiasts everywhere. Who was the best of the great West Indian quicks? Have England heroes like Boycott, Pietersen and Flintoff made the cut? Who has been the greatest Australian batsman, post-Bradman? All is revealed in this lively and contentious celebration of cricket’s true greats.