Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, this is the first ever biography of Harold Larwood. Larwood, one of the most talented, accurate and intimidating fast bowlers of all time is mainly remembered for his role in the infamous Bodyline series of 1932-3 which brought Anglo-Australian diplomatic relations to the brink of collapse.
Larwood was made the scapegoat – and despite the fact he was simply following his captain’s instructions, he never played cricket for England again. Devastated by this betrayal, he eventually emigrated to Australia, where he was accepted by the country that had once despised him.
Acclaimed author Duncan Hamilton has gained unprecedented access to the late sportsman’s family and archives to tell the story of a true working-class hero and cricketing legend.
Larwood was made the scapegoat – and despite the fact he was simply following his captain’s instructions, he never played cricket for England again. Devastated by this betrayal, he eventually emigrated to Australia, where he was accepted by the country that had once despised him.
Acclaimed author Duncan Hamilton has gained unprecedented access to the late sportsman’s family and archives to tell the story of a true working-class hero and cricketing legend.
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Reviews
'An excellent storyteller, Hamilton looks beyond the dry detail of Bodyline to illuminate its principal perpetrator' The Cricketer.
'Wonderful ... Meticulously researched and beautifully written. Please read it.'
Mike Selvey, Guardian.
'Finally Larwood's memory is honoured with the biography it deserves' Independent on Sunday.
'A near-masterpiece... a magnificently written, intensely moving story of a great England fast bowler.' Mike Atherton, The Times.
'This is cricket biography of the highest stamp, fit to compare in recent memory with Gideon Haigh's excavation of the life of Jack Iverson, David Foot's dramatic revisionism on Wally Hammond and Leo McKinstry's remarkably even-handed portrait of Geoff Boycott. Five stars.' Wisden Cricketer.