571 first-class matches from 1934 to 1958. 36,985 runs. 29th on all-time lists. 86 centuries. 479 wickets. Bill Edrich was one of the biggest cricket stars 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 won 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, explosive controversies, wartime glory and a life lived to the fullest, this compelling biography reveals the story of one of cricketing�s greatest characters.