A NEW book is set to be released this year to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Stourbridge Cricket Club.

Written by Anthony Collis, the book delves into the club’s history by focusing on 19 players who eventually went onto represent their countries in test cricket.

It also features five other people who may not have won test honours, but either came close to it or had an impact on the test game in different ways.

These include one who served as a test umpire, one was a Test selector, two played representative or wartime matches for their country, and the fifth played for W.G. Grace’s XI.

Twelve of the players detailed in the book also played cricket for Worcestershire. The county have always had a strong link with Stourbridge CC, which hosted first class cricket for many years and has recently returned to staging second eleven and academy fixtures.

Anthony, the honorary secretary of Stourbridge & District Cricket Society, said: “When we heard about the 175th anniversary of the club we thought about how we could mark the occasion.

“I have not written about the whole history of the club, but have instead focused on the players who have gone on to represent their countries in test cricket.

“It features people whose playing days date back to the late Victorian era and the 19th century, as well as others who played in more recent times.“

The book is nearing the proof-reading stage and Anthony aims to have the first edition of 250 copies printed in time before the new season starts in April.

A first edition copy is now available to pre-order for £9, and the names of all subscribers will be included in the book, providing their orders and cheques are received before Friday, February 17.

Anthony said pre-sales are already going strong, adding: “At the moment I have well over 100 copies already pre-ordered, mainly from the cricket society members.

“I have done other books before. I do an annual Worcestershire cricket review, and I also wrote a cricket pub sign book a few years ago, so this isn’t my first attempt.

“I’m only getting 250 first editions printed as I wanted to keep it fairly small to start with, but if I need to get it re-printed then that is something that could be done.”

To pre-order a copy, send a cheque payable to 'Stourbridge and District Cricket Society' to S&DCS Book Offer, 34A Chawn Hill, Stourbridge, DY9 7JB, including your name, address, email address and phone number.