Hodder snaps up Swann's Ashes book

Hodder & Stoughton has bought a book about The Ashes by former England spin bowler Graeme Swann.

Roddy Bloomfield bought world rights to The Ashes: It’s All About the Urn – England vs. Australia: Ultimate Cricket Rivalry from Mark Brodie at Stellar Group. It will be published on the 2nd November priced at £20 in hardback.

The title is billed as “an entertaining look at one of sport’s greatest rivalries”. Swann played in three series wins and also the whitewash defeat of 2013-14.

It will also include chapters from “dozens of other colourful characters”, include a brief history of the ashes with analysis of “iconic” series, players and matches. Swann will discuss the series he played a part in and expand on what it is like to be involved and the differences between playing at Home and in Australia.

Bloomfield said: “Graeme Swann made an outstanding contribution as a player in two of England’s Ashes victories. But he also has a lifelong interest in the history of the Ashes, and in his entertaining style writes about the highlights of this great sporting rivalry and what it really feels like to play a part in it.”

Swann revealed he was “excited” about writing the book. The former international cricketer for England said: “My personal love affair with the Ashes began on cold winter mornings in late 1986, a time when pound notes were still in circulation and Neighbours was in its infancy on the BBC.”

He added: “Thirty years later my fascination with the Ashes continues, and having been lucky enough actually to play a part in two winning series, I am excited to be writing about this epic sporting rivalry.”

Swann was primarily a right-arm off spinner, and also a capable late-order batsman with four first-class centuries and often fielded at slip. In 2011 he was part of the England team that claimed the number one world Test ranking spot. He was involved in three Ashes tours, winning the Ashes in 2009, and 2011, he retired from all formats during the 2013 Ashes series.