A BOOK which uncovers startling new evidence about the controversial sale of the world's most famous cricket ball has been nominated for a prestigious literary award.

When West Indian legend Gary Sobers hit Abergavenny man and Glamorgan CC player Malcolm Nash for an historic six sixes off one over at Swansea in 1968, cricket's Everest was finally conquered. It was a record that could never be broken; equalled three times since but not beaten because you can't get better than six of the best.

History was made again 38 years later when the ball supposedly smashed around St Helen's by the West Indian legend was sold for a world record £26,400 at Christie's in London.

Except it couldn't have been the right one because it was the wrong make. And BBC footage showed that Nash used one ball - not three as claimed by Christie's.

The ball disappeared for six years before turning up at another auction - prompting author Grahame Lloyd to launch Operation Howzat?, an 18-month quest for the truth about a key component of one of sport's most iconic moments.

In 'Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Mystery,' Lloyd traces the ball's journey from England to India and uncovers startling new evidence to shed fresh light on its vexing verification and controversial sale. The book features a cast of colourful characters including an art impresario, a solar energy expert and an antiquarian book dealer - as well as two shy and retiring Christie's specialists.

As Operation Howzat heads towards its denouncement, how will the world's leading auction house respond to Lloyd'd attempt to unravel the riddle? The umpire's index finger is starting to twitch.

Howzat? has been included on the long list for The Cricket Society and MCC Book of the Year 2014, an award made since 1970 for the best writing about cricket. Previous winners have included the late writer and BBC broadcaster, E.W. Swanton, former England captain Mike Brearley, Times columnist Simon Barnes and Australian writer Gideon Haigh.

Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Mystery is the sequel to Lloyd's Six of the Best: Cricket's Most Famous Over, a 40th anniversary celebration of Sobers' feat which was longlisted for the 2009 award.

In Six of the Best, Lloyd strongly suggested that the Duke ball wasn't the one bowled by Nash and since being published in September, Howzat? has collected a number of favourable reviews, including "investigative journalism at its best"(Bristol Post), "the most original cricket book that has been published in years"(cricketweb.net), "a compelling read"(Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians) and "an absorbing book that will fascinate the most ardent of sports haters"(Newark Advertiser).

A short list of books will be drawn up in February with the winner of The Cricket Society and MCC Book of the Year Award being announced at an event in the Long Room at Lord's in May.

Lloyd told the Chronicle, "I'm delighted that my book has been nominated for the award, especially considering the calibre of writers who have won it in the past."

In regard to the book's content, Lloyd explained, "BBC Wales TV footage of the over is a crucial part of my evidence because it confirms Nash's assertion that he bowled one ball at Sobers – and not three as claimed by Christie's. After reviewing my material and re-investigating the sale, Christie's would only issue a short statement: as they have since the controversy began in 2006, they insist the ball is genuine because of the certificate of provenance signed by Sobers.

"However, Nash now wants his place in cricketing history to be accurately acknowledged because, 45 years later, he says he bowled one ball and it was made by Stuart Surridge. 

"I believe that my investigation has implications for anyone who buys or collects antiques: can we trust auction houses to carry out due diligence on the thousands of items they sell and, in particular, can we trust Christie's? Whatever happened to the three Ts – truth, trust and transparency?"

Lloyd added, "Overall Howzat? is an intriguing tale which is not really about cricket: to quote the foreword by Matthew Engel, a former Wisden editor, 'It is about the real people who play the game, watch it, love it and cling to it. It is about the mysterious business of collecting. It is about the strange and glamorous world of the international auction houses. Above all, it is about the most important and intriguing subject that any writer can tackle: human nature.'"

Howzat? The Six Sixes Ball Mystery by Grahame Lloyd is now available to buy at all good retailers.