What to get a sports fan for Christmas

It's four days to Christmas and you're still struggling with that final present. Herald sports staff offer a sample of what is on offer at the bookshops.

2002 New Zealand Cricket Almanack

Hodder Moa Beckett

Edited by Francis Payne and Ian Smith $44.99


Once again Messrs Payne and Smith have excelled with the New Zealand version of cricket's statistical Bible, the must-have copybook for train-spotters, Anoraks, trivia-quiz organisers, reporters or just anyone mildly interested in the game.

The sort of reference book that grabs every cricket enthusiast as soon as it's opened, the latest copy is crammed with vital statistics from seven months of non-stop action, a number-crunching journey through 11 tests and 27 one-day internationals, including the surprisingly strong one-day series performance in Australia and the trail-blazing tour of the West Indies.

For students of the game or just the plain curious, the 55th edition of the almanac provides on-the-spot answers for most of the usual queries that might crop up, as well as a lively chapter of statistical curiosities, and all the updated rankings and lists.

This year's edition captures in all their statistical glory the remarkable feats of Lou Vincent and Scott Styris, who not only scored centuries on test debut against Australia and the West Indies respectively, but also managed second-innings scores of more than 50.

As the almanack notes, for Vincent it was the first time a visiting batsman had scored a century on debut in Australia since the Nawab of Pataudi in 1932-33, George Gunn in 1907-08 and Reg Foster in 1903-04.

Even less common was Styris' effort in the West Indies.

The only other touring batsmen to have achieved the feat in the Caribbean were Syd Griffith in 1947-48 and South African Andrew Hudson in 1991-92.

No stone was left unturned in the search for the historic oddity, and almost an entire chapter was needed to contain the avalanche of material produced by Nathan Astle's hurricane 222, easily the fastest test double-century in balls faced.

The list goes on, but it would be easier to buy the book.

Legends of Cricket: Profiles of the Game's 25 Greatest

by Geoff Armstrong

Allen & Unwin, 224pp $59.99


The book which runs with the recent television series - or vice versa - on ESPN.

The nature of this book offers plenty of room for debate.

If you accept Sir Donald Bradman as the game's greatest performer, and Sir Garfield Sobers as next best, how do you compare the influence of Imran Khan against Ian Botham as allrounders; Sachin Tendulkar against Sir Vivian Richards as batsmen; Dennis Lillee against Sir Richard Hadlee with the new ball?

Here we have the subjective list based on the selections of famous cricket figures.

Each chapter is laced with anecdotes of team-mates or opponents, and there is a statistical breakdown at the back. Nicely put together, well worth a spot at the bottom of the Christmas stocking.

New Zealand Test Cricket Captains

By Matthew Appleby

Reed, 241pp $44.99


A trick question here: who was New Zealand's 25th, and most recent appointee, as test captain?

Stephen Fleming - now verging on being the most successful in terms of victories?

Wrong. It is the now retired Dion Nash, who led New Zealand in Fleming's absence against South Africa in 1999. This is a rundown of all 25, from the formidable Tom Lowry, who attended Cambridge University and played for Somerset before returning home to lead New Zealand through their first seven tests, to Fleming, this weekend leading his country for the 49th time, against India in Hamilton.

Our captains range from the celebrated - Walter Hadlee, John Reid, Geoff Howarth - through to the quirky one-test wonders, including Murray Chapple (v England, Christchurch, 1966), John Parker (v Pakistan, Karachi, 1977) and Ian Smith (v Sri Lanka, Eden Park, 1990-91).

Different personalities, different ways of tackling the job. This is a book you would dip in and out of, and a very handy reference work.

The statistical breakdown includes their performances when leading their country.

Sachin Tendulkar Masterful

by Peter Murray and Ashish Shukla
Murray Advertising (Australian), 165pp $39.95 (Only available at Whitcoulls)


Rather like one of the subject's cover drives, a timely arrival as India are touring New Zealand for another few weeks.

Lovely illustrations, done in the nature of a coffee table book, albeit slimmer than most.

This is a straightforward book, a look at his childhood, one-day and test careers, and the financial side of being the game's highest-profile figure.

Loaded with quotes paying homage to arguably the game's second-greatest batsman of all.

The First Fifty

New Zealand cricket test victories 1956-2002

By Lynn McConnell

HarperCollins, 373pp $39.95


From John Reid to Fleming, this covers all New Zealand's wins up until No 50, against England at Eden Park last season.

Each chapter contains a brief precis on the game, and the test is seen through the eyes of one player who had an influence in some way on the match.

New Zealand's test wins have become more frequent in recent years.

Fleming, for example, is the country's most successful captain in terms of test victories achieved, having been in charge for 18 wins from 48 tests.

Good idea, nicely put together and one to put in the collection.

By the way, the second 50 has already begun: No 51 was over the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados, in June and No 52 came at the Basin Reserve last weekend.

World Rallying 2002-3

By Martin Holmes

Martin Holmes, 212pp $59.95


English journalist Martin Holmes produces his 25th record of world rallying when the dust has scarcely settled on the last event of the season.

As always there is comprehensive cover in words and pictures of every world championship event, plus exhaustive records of national rallies around the world.

Special features this year include a look at Peugeot's rally passion, the mysteries of the motors, a profile of young Finn Janne Tuohino, and memories of 50 years of the sport.

New Zealand is chided for its proliferation of service parks, but excused for wanting to use as many of the best roads in the championship.

Years on Track

By Sandy Myhre

Hodder Moa Beckett, 240pp $79.99


No one can question Sandy Myhre's bravery. She has written a history of a sport where women are few and far between, but men swing their handbags at every perceived slight.

The Auckland radio journalist's work is described as a history of motorsport in New Zealand. But the title doesn't do it justice.

This is no chronicle of events, records and statistics. It ranges far wider into what makes the sport tick - its personalities, controversies and humour.

Myhre and her trusty tape-recorder have roamed the country, and further afield, capturing the memories of those involved. It is lavishly illustrated and creates an up-to-the-minute account of the highs and lows of the sport.

She is happy to play favourites, stir up old controversies and make judgments. Inevitably, some will feel left out or slighted, but the result is a fascinating read.

Purists may regret some lack of detail. Underhand scams are preferred to overhead cams, and Myhre has wisely steered clear of technical complexities.

Our Formula One heroes - Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon - get their due, but the focus is much wider, encompassing mechanics, promoters, officials and their exploits on and off the track.

She is at her best with the modern stars Greg Murphy, Paul Radisich and Scott Dixon, drawing on her own experiences and fleshing out the details of their careers.

Burchill on Beckham

By Julie Burchill

Random House NZ Ltd, 144pp $16.95


Don't buy this little gem if you are a soccer fanatic. If you like a quirky read, which explores the celebrity status of England's most popular footballer and his Spice Girl wife, this might be the ticket.

Often gloriously over the top, the sharp-fingered Burchill essentially comes out in favour of the Manchester United hero.

"Two gorgeous creatures, wildly in love, independently rich solely by their own efforts in totally harmless professions, attracted a level of vicious loathing which never faced the ridiculously over-privileged Charles and Diana, or the frankly homicidal Bonnie and Clyde and the notoriously minging Anthony and Cleopatra. Why?

" ... they were a spotlight turned onto the poisons of others."

Bright, witty, zany, potty by turn, and given its length you'll rumble through it in a couple of hours.

Venus Envy

Power Games, Teenage Vixens and Million-Dollar Egos on the Women's Tennis Tour

By Jon Wertheim

HarperCollins, 229pp $34.95


A fly-on-the-wall look at the world of women's tennis. The Venus of the title is the player who dominated the 2000 year with two Grand Slams and two Olympic Games gold medals. Little sister Serena has rather taken over of late, but Wertheim, a Sports Illustrated investigative reporter, runs the rule over the players, on and off court.

Take six names - Venus, Serena, Anna, Martina, Lindsay and Jennifer. Now match the description to the player:

1: The tragic Garbo-like star who is afraid to go outdoors.

2: The teenager who tries to cope with the pressure of the big time as well as an abusive father.

3: The brilliant No 1 who plays out her adolescent tantrums on the public stage.

4: The coquette who launched a thousand websites (easy one, that).

5: A little understood African-American family who proved that they could play by their own rules and still win the game.

So goes the blurb, and while it sounds like a script from Beverly Hills 90210, on a really bad day this is worth a look to give an insight into what goes on in this peculiar bubble, in which players are cocooned and transported around the globe.

Meads

By Brian Turner

Hodder Moa Beckett, 225pp $49.95


With apologies to a large Wellington winger, still the biggest name in New Zealand rugby.

He hasn't picked up a ball in anger for 31 years, but when he speaks people listen.

His first biography soon after he retired remains New Zealand's biggest-selling sports book. Daylight is second.

An interesting combination this - the King Country farmer and the Dunedin poet.

It has sold a bucket and your bookshelf should have a Meads in it somewhere.

Chris Cairns

By Hamish McDouall

Hodder Moa Beckett, 262pp $39.95


The life and times of our best current cricket allrounder. Odd treatment of the English language at times, but worth a look if you fancy a player's perspective on the various high and low points of his career.

Adam Parore

The Wicked-Keeper

By Angus Gillies

Penguin Books, 226pp $35.95


The thoughts of one of our more colourful, controversial players. Laced with anecdotes and thoughts from team-mates and opponents.

Garry Sobers

My Autobiography

By Bob Harris

Headline Books Publishing, 304pp $63.95


Next to The Don, this is cricket's greatest ever player. He could do everything, and make it look easy. The book looks at Sobers' career, with a statistical breakdown at the back. Maybe not a scintillating literary achievement, but a remarkable story deserves a reading.

Bodyline Autopsy

By David Frith

ABC Books, 449pp $59.95


An in-depth look at cricket's most controversial tour, Douglas Jardine's England in Australia in 1932-33. One for the fans, but interesting, well-researched, even if the writing is at times stilted. And you do tire of lines like: " ... a certain D. R. Jardine."

Hand of God

The life and times of Diego Maradona

By Jimmy Burns

Bloomsbury, 262pp $24.95


Re-released story of the brilliant Argentine soccer star. From street urchin to holding the World Cup aloft in 1986, to his descent into a bloated, drug-excessed parody.

The Judas Game

All Blacks for Sale

By Joseph Romanos

Darius Press, 249pp $29.95


A run through the state of the national game. Provocative and pithy. Romanos looks into all aspects, from the corporate factor, the domestic game, the "browning" of New Zealand rugby and the health of the game in our schools.

Rugby Nomads

By Bob Howitt and Dianne Haworth

Harper Collins, 293pp $39.95


Looking at the wanderers of New Zealand rugby, players and coaches who ply their trade around the globe. Some fascinating tales and funny yarns as rugby Kiwiana spreads its wings.

Rugby Heritage

Golden Years of All Black Rugby

By Paul Verdon

Hill-Verdon Publishing, 200pp $39.95


A look at a selection of tours overseas and visitors to New Zealand, outlining their importance to the national game. The 1956 Springboks, 1971 Lions, the 1978 Grand Slam tour, 1981 Springboks. Pictorially good, but one for the fans.

Heroes of the Hall

By Ron Smith

Sporting News, 509pp $76.95


Beautifully illustrated book on the great names of baseball. Each of the 254 players is given a statistical breakdown and short biography. They're all here: Jackie Robinson, Joe di Maggio and the Babe. For the fan, perhaps, but worth a look for its quality.

Ocean Warriors

Story of the 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race

By Rob Mundle

Harper Collins, 223pp $34.95


Just what it says, a run-through on the race through the eyes of those on the water. Picture quality extremely uneven. Still, you're not going to get Annie Leibowitz in the middle of the Atlantic on a stormy night. Plenty of New Zealand interest.