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Bill Edrich: The Many Lives of England's Cricket Great
Record-breaking England cricketer, wartime RAF hero, Tottenham Hotspur footballer, and husband to five wives... this is the captivating life of one of England's most remarkable yet often overlooked cricketing heroes.
571 first-class matches from 1934 to 1958. 36,985 runs. 29th on all-time lists. Bill Edrich was one of the greatest cricket sensations of his time along with Denis Compton and Len Hutton. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1940 and played association football for Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur during the 1930s.
In the first biography for 30 years, award-winning writer Leo McKinstry recounts Edrich's audacity both as a cricketer and RAF pilot. Edrich's flying prowess awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and a promotion to Squadron Leader after his part in a courageous daylight raid over Cologne in August 1941.
After the war, Edrich's life took a few wrong turns as he married an impressive five times and repeatedly clashed with the cricket hierarchy. As a consequence, he was left out of the tour of Australia in 1950–51 which ended up costing the team greatly. Edrich redeemed himself a few years later as he drove the victory home in the 1953 Ashes and helped to bring back the trophy in his last tour of Australia in 1954–55.
A history of cricket victories, wartime glory and a life lived to the fullest, this compelling biography reveals the story of one of cricketing's greatest characters.
571 first-class matches from 1934 to 1958. 36,985 runs. 29th on all-time lists. Bill Edrich was one of the greatest cricket sensations of his time along with Denis Compton and Len Hutton. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1940 and played association football for Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur during the 1930s.
In the first biography for 30 years, award-winning writer Leo McKinstry recounts Edrich's audacity both as a cricketer and RAF pilot. Edrich's flying prowess awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and a promotion to Squadron Leader after his part in a courageous daylight raid over Cologne in August 1941.
After the war, Edrich's life took a few wrong turns as he married an impressive five times and repeatedly clashed with the cricket hierarchy. As a consequence, he was left out of the tour of Australia in 1950–51 which ended up costing the team greatly. Edrich redeemed himself a few years later as he drove the victory home in the 1953 Ashes and helped to bring back the trophy in his last tour of Australia in 1954–55.
A history of cricket victories, wartime glory and a life lived to the fullest, this compelling biography reveals the story of one of cricketing's greatest characters.
- GenresHistory
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2024
7 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Leo McKinstry
23 books15 followersLeo McKinstry writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. He has also written nine books including a life of Geoff Boycott, which was recently named one of the finest cricket books written in a Wisden poll. His best-selling biography of the footballing Charlton brothers was a top-ten bestseller and won the Sports Book of the Year award, while his study of Lord Rosebery won Channel Four Political Book of the year. Most recently he has written a trilogy about the RAF in the Second World War, including Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane.
Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.
Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 24, 2024
Enjoyed this biography of the test cricketer and his colourful life. Very interesting
Displaying 1 of 1 review