This comprehensive volume serves as an authoritative reference work designed to document the global history, technical evolution, and cultural significance of cricket. Edited by E. W. Swanton, a preeminent cricket journalist and historian, the text synthesizes contributions from a wide array of experts to provide a definitive record of the sport. It functions as both a historical archive and a technical guide, mapping the development of the game from its origins to its modern international structure.

The work is widely regarded as a foundational reference text for cricket scholars and enthusiasts due to its exhaustive scope and the editorial rigor of E. W. Swanton. Its dense, encyclopedic nature makes it a primary resource for those seeking a structured understanding of the sport's global history.