The Cricket Society Book of the Year Award shortlisted nominee 2010 - Harold Larwood. So, why another book on Harold Larwood? Perhaps because there haven't really been any books on him and not the events. As a boy growing up in post-war Nottinghamshire, Duncan Hamilton, the author, would regularly hear comments from passing miners going home from their shift as he bowled in knockabout cricket off an enormous run, 'You'll never be as fast as Harold Larwood.' Intrigued, he went home to ask his father who this man was and then vowed to find out more about him. Much later in life, this book is the result.

The competition, run by The Cricket Society since 1970 and in partnership with MCC since 2009, is for books nominated by members and not publishers and is highly regarded by writers and publishers. The competition seeks to reward writers who document their sport passionately and show incredible talent; a practise carried over through many new mediums and about new sports. Previous winners have included Mike Brearley, EW Swanton and David Frith. Three years ago the delighted winner - Scyld Berry – this year a keynote speaker at the award ceremony - hailed his award as "cricket’s seal of literary approval."