WINNER OF THE MCC / CRICKET SOCIETY BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK THE YEAR AWARD

An England cricket tour is a phenomenon with few parallels. England's Test, one-day and Twenty20 sides are typically overseas for around 150 days a year, playing anywhere from Barbados to Brisbane, Cape Town to Colombo. Since 1877, they have fulfilled more than 1,000 fixtures away from home.

In this definitive history, Simon Wilde explores England's tours from every angle. He celebrates the great team performances and individual feats - from James Lillywhite to Ben Stokes, every captain has aspired to venture abroad and return a hero - but also tells of adventure and misadventure, mishaps and scandal.

Even though the modern-day tour resembles a business trip rather than the great voyages of the past, they remain fragile enterprises and the mental toll can be heavy. As international cricket faces competition from franchise tournaments around the world, is the future of the tour in jeopardy?

'A fine and comprehensive history' The Times