SHORTLISTED 2026

Cricket Book of the Year | Shortlisted

The King of Spain and I

by Ashley Giles

Surviving cricket, depression and the greatest ever Ashes

Based on personal writings stretching back to his days as a rookie at Warwickshire, Ashley Giles’ autobiography is a deeply intimate account of a sportsman on the edge, one who survived the enemies of self-doubt and depression to first establish himself in the professional game and then – against the odds – play a crucial role in the greatest ever Ashes.

Ashley Giles played 116 times for his country and is part of an exclusive club of players to have both scored 1,000 runs and taken 100 wickets in Tests. Since ending his playing career, he has worked in a number of coaching and leadership roles within cricket.

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