Eddie Gilbert

The True Story of an Aboriginal Cricketing Legend

• Author(s): Mike Colman, Ken Edwards,
• Publisher: ABC Books
• Pages: 280
• ISBN_10: 0733311547
  ISBN_13: 9780733311543
  
• Language: en
• Categories: Biography & Autobiography / General , Biography & Autobiography / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / General , Biography & Autobiography / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / Indigenous , Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural & Social , Sports & Recreation / General , Sports & Recreation / Cricket ,

Description:... "On November 6, 1931, Queensland's Aboriginal fast bowler Eddie Gilbert dismissed Don Bradman for a duck after a spell of bowling the champion batsman rated the fastest he'd ever faced. With that one ball the young man from Barambah Aboriginal Settlement earned a place in Australian sporting folklore. To government officials of the day it was seen as public vindication that their controversial settlement system was working, while for Aboriginal people it was proof that one of their own could compete against the best of white men and win. Gilbert came up against Bradman on two more occasions, took on Douglas Jardine during the infamous 1935 Bodyline tour, vied for Test selection and was branded a &‘chucker' - but his powerful and moving tale transcends cricket. While he could never be termed a &‘typical' Aboriginal, Eddie Gilbert's experiences on and off the settlement provide a fascinating - and timely - insight into Australia and Australians of his time. Much has been spoken and written about Eddie Gilbert since that day in 1931, much of it wrong. As is so often the case with sporting heroes, myth has overshadowed fact, whether it be about the speed or legality of his bowling, his treatment at the hands of white officialdom or, ultimately, his lonely and pitiful death" - Cover.