Tuffers' Ashes Heroes

Phil Tufnell played in five Ashes series and has commentated on another ten. Now he's sat down and personally chosen his 50 Ashes 'legends' from the modern era and from both sides of the divide.

Shortlisted for Sports Entertainment Book of the Year at the 2026 Sports Book Awards

Tuffers' Ashes Heroes is crammed with cricketers he has played with or against, admired from afar, enjoyed a drink with or just knows well. Everyone from Ian Botham, Freddie Flintoff, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad to Merv Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and Steve Smith.

Each 'hero' gets a properly funny, entertaining and affectionate pen portrait. 'Heroes', 'legends' and 'characters': all knitted together into the perfect cricket lover's book and written with Tufnell's trademark warmth, self-effacing humour and unmatched storytelling.

About the author

Phil Tufnell is one of Britain’s most beloved sporting and broadcasting icons. He was born in Barnet in 1966 and played cricket for Middlesex and England between 1986 and 2002, winning 42 Test caps and taking 121 wickets. Since retiring from the game, he has become a hugely popular summariser on Test Match Special, a decorated author and a team captain on A Question of Sport, and won I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here!