With its crisp white uniforms and fifth-day miracles, Test cricket has always held a sacred place in the hearts of fans. It is a game of deep tradition – a showcase for top talent, and an epic clash of nations – yet for all its claims to legend, it has continually evolved to suit the times. At the 150th anniversary of Test cricket, award-winning sportswriter Malcolm Knox presents a new history of the game, recounting the personalities and contexts behind iconic turning points with the passion of a life-long devotee. Along the way, he examines the eternal tensions – between players and their countries, sportsmanship and the thirst for victory – that have shaped Test cricket’s transformation from an English gentleman’s sport to a global, multi-billion-dollar industry. From the Golden Age to the Invincibles, Bodyline to betting scandals, and W.G. Grace to Shane Warne to Virat Kohli, The Long Game masterfully captures the spirit of a game that has enthralled generations, and reminds us why the Test endures as the pinnacle of cricketing success.
