Description

The remarkable life of one of England’s most successful sportsmen has been celebrated in a new release soon to be available from cricketbooks.com.au

A hardback with dustjacket it tells the story of the great Andy Ducat, who played Test cricket 100 years ago.

He won the FA Cup with Aston Villa in 1920 and in the same year he was named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year.

Jonathan Northall has increased awareness of Ducat’s remarkable life which tragically ended with him dying on the pitch at Lord’s in 1942. “As I conducted my research, I found that Andy had achieved so much yet his story had been forgotten,” explained Northall.

“Being one of just 13 individuals to play football and cricket is remarkable enough.

“However, there was so much more to tell. “He was the FA Cup winning captain in 1920, Wisden Cricketer of the Year in the same year, Fulham’s third ever manager, scored 300 runs in a day for Surrey, was a cricket coach at Eton College and a County Championship winner with Surrey in 1914. “Despite all of that, many people are only aware of Andy’s tragic death on the pitch at Lord’s in 1942. “But I wanted to tell his story to celebrate everything he achieved rather than people focusing on his demise and that’s what led to me writing the book.”

There is much Australian interest with Ducat’s 6-month role with Queensland’s cricket as state coach and the emergence of aboriginal fast bowler Eddie Gilbert.