Out for a Duck: A Celebration of Cricketing Calamities - Tapa dura

Cricket is usually told from its viewpoint of the winners. Out for a Duck: A Celebration of Cricketing Calamities champions the unfortunate cricketers who made those victories possible. For every record knock or wicket haul, every partnership or brilliant catch, there will be a batsman, bowler or fielder who has been on the receiving end. No cricketer is spared failure in his career. As Sir Don Bradman's zero in his final appearance proved, calamity strikes when least expected. Sooner rather than later, the cricketing gods will have some fun at their expense. This light-hearted read reveals the ostrich moments that famous names would rather forget: the golden ducks, horror bowling spells, costly drops, comedy run outs, team collapses and umpiring howlers, which are etched forever in Wisden.

Ian Valentine is a freelance journalist from the Cotswolds, who sees his work as a means for funding his cricket addiction. A devotee of village cricket, he is the captain and groundsman for his local side, as well as being the opening batsman.