Old cricketers, unless they are Bradman, Grace, Trumper or a few others, tend to fade away; their only testament a line of statistics in "Wisden". Albert Trott is a special case, due to his 102.50 Test batting average for Australia (leaving Bradman's 99.94 in the shade), his famous hit over the Lord's pavillion, his rare feat of playing Test cricket for two different countries, and his astonishing bowling performance in his benefit match.

"Over and Out" helps bring Trott's story out of the shadows, from his black West Indian grandmother to his youth in working class Melbourne, his burgeoning cricket career to his far too brief Test career for Australia, his move to England, his far too brief Test career for England, his domestic cricket career in England, his umpiring career and his sad slide into ill health, depression and a handy gun. Indeed, the Trott family had a history of mental illness; his father Adolphus Trott spent time in an asylum, as did his brother, Australian captain Harry Trott.

There were the occasional longueurs but overall Neal has produced a solid biography to cast light on one of cricket's most intriguing characters. ( )