Keith Ross Miller was named after two adventurous aviators and went on to be one himself. He was all things to all men, and women. Miller was a person of style, charm and grace, a lover of opera and classical music, yet with the common touch. Born of a humble Australian background, he was blessed with outstanding looks, a sonorous voice, freakish athletic skills, and attitude. That attitude encompassed courage and character. Miller played Aussie Rules football and cricket for his original State (Victoria), joined the RAAF in 1942 and became a Mosquito night fighter pilot over European skies with the RAF. After the war he developed quickly into the greatest all-round cricketer Australia ever produced. His brilliance as a batsman, bowler and fielder ranked him easily with W.G. Grace, Garry Sobers and Ian Botham in the pantheon of the sport's finest all-rounders. Miller was appreciated by the British even more than Australians for his cavalier approach to war as a pilot, and cricket. He is one of just three Australians to have their portraits hung in the Long Room at Lord's, along with Don Bradman and Victor Trumper. Miller was loved by the masses and the mighty. He was never far from a bet or a beer, a contest or an attractive woman. One of his innumerable conquests was said to be Princess Margaret, the current Queen's late sister. She was believed to have summoned him for more than tea at Kensington Palace. The anecdotes about this true legend are endless, and as Richie Benaud remarked at his funeral, they are 'all true.' According to myriad mates, Keith Miller was 'larger than life.' There has never been a more talented, charismatic or popular sportsman. He was, as Neville Cardus noted, 'An Australian in Excelsis.'

Author Biography

THE ASHES: A CELEBRATION is Roland Perry's 20th book, and nineth on cricket. His other books in the category include MILLER'S LUCK, the Keith Miller biography; BRADMAN'S BEST, which reveals Sir Donald Bradman's best ever cricket teaM; BRADMAN'S BEST ASHES TEAMS; the definitive work on Sir Donald Bradman, THE DON; biographies on Shane Warne (BOLD WARNIE) and Steve Waugh (WAUGH'S WAY); CAPTAIN AUSTRALIA, a History of the Celebrated Captains of Australian Cricket. Roland's biography of General John Monash, MONASH: THE OUTSIDER WHO WON A WAR sold 10,000 in hardback, was reprinted twice and won The Federation of Australian Writers Melbourne University Publishing Award for 2004.