peter lalor

Drawing on almost 100 interviews and featuring scores of images from the Hughes family's personal collection, this is a stirring biography about the life of Phillip Hughes: son, brother, friend, farmer, cricketer, inspiration.

Phillip Hughes gave his life to cricket.

And cricket gave Phillip Hughes his life.

When Hughes scored twin centuries in his second Test - the youngest man in cricket's 135-year history to achieve the feat - the world hailed the arrival of a brilliant new star. Here was a batting prodigy from a tiny country town with a twinkle in his eye and a wizardry with the willow to fill the dreams of a generation. But those dreams were lost in November 2014 when Hughes was felled, playing the game he loved.

Told through the voices of those who knew him best, Phillip Hughes:­ The Official Biography is the incredible story of the boy from Macksville who became Australian Test cricketer 408. It charts the folkloric rise of the banana grower's son with the axe-handle batting technique, reliving his adventures on and off the field and celebrating his many triumphs and travails.

And it pays tribute to the fighting spirit and gift for friendship that made this unique young man a hero to millions.