Victory in Australia

Such incredibly gripping sports writing. It was like being there. Truly. Every ball. With the added bonus of knowing it would all turn out okay for once. – Giles CorenElegant and evocative, this will surely stand as the definitive word on England’s most astonishing Ashes tour ever. – Matthew Engel, former ‘Wisden’ editorI don’t know of any finer reconstructions of cricket matches than those in this book on England’s Ashes-winning series of 1954–5. – Scyld Berry, ‘Telegraph’ Chief Cricket WriterAn outstanding addition to cricket’s literature. With both detail and description, Richard Whitehead marvellously recreates one of the great tours of the 20th century and brings both the era – and the men who shaped it – back into full, vibrant breathing life. – Duncan Hamilton, three times winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the YearA wonderfully full-bodied account, alert to every human and social as well as cricketing nuance, of a tour that still burns bright in English memories. – David Kynaston, English historian and authorVictory in Australia has an epic quality; so does Richard Whitehead’s Victory in Australia, a detailed and absorbing retelling of a peak Ashes moment. – Gideon Haigh, cricket writerA high peak of post-war English cricket brought to vivid life with so much colourful detail. Richard Whitehead has written a masterpiece. – Stephen Chalke, cricker writerMeticulously researched by Richard Whitehead, this book brings an epic tour from another age to life. It also serves as a reminder of why we are still so consumed by the Ashes. The portrait of Len Hutton, England’s first professional captain, is riveting. – Vic Marks, former England bowlerLen Hutton’s greatest triumph gave rise to no less than 15 books in its immediate aftermath. To understand its full significance, we now need to read only one: Richard Whitehead’s definitive account of this most fascinating of Ashes tours. – David Woodhouse, author of ‘Who Only Cricket Know’This epic new account of Len Hutton’s Ashes-winning tour is a masterpiece of research and narrative skill. Packed with drama, technical detail and insightful character studies, the book not only provides vivid descriptions of the crucial passages of play, but also sheds new light on the many controversies of this highly charged contest. I enjoyed it tremendously and I know it will come to be seen as an important addition to the literature of Test cricket. – Leo McKinstry, journalist and historianA fascinating and detailed exposition of the men, the matches and the meaning of one of the most extraordinary Test cricket tours of the 20th century. Beautifully composed. – Simon Lister, author of ‘Fire in Babylon’Come for Hutton’s heroism and stay for the scrupulously researched and lovingly described social history. Victory in Australia is so much more than a cricket book. – John Stern, editor-at-large, ‘Wisden’

Richard Whitehead worked in newspapers for nearly 40 years, spending 21 of them in a variety of senior roles at The Times, including spells in the sport, books and obituaries sections. He has been writing obituaries for Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack since 2012. His previous books include The Cup: a Pictorial Celebration of the World’s Greatest Football Tournament, The Times on the Ashes and Warne in Wisden.