* Biography of iconic cricket writer Neville Cardus wins

* Author is first writer to win award three times

Duncan Hamilton has won the 31st William Hill Sports Book of the Year, making him the only author in the award's history to have triumphed three times. The author was presented with the £30,000 cash prize for his biography of the celebrated Guardian cricket writer Neville Cardus.

Times sports correspondent Alyson Rudd, chair of the judges, said: "We were bowled over by the quality of the writing and the way in which Hamilton brings to life the characters that defined cricket between the two world wars. The author explains that Neville Cardus was unknowable but this book does a very fine job indeed of guiding us through his career and motivations."

The Great Romantic: Cricket and the Golden Age of Neville Cardus becomes the sixth cricket book to win the award and the first to do so since Hamilton's book Harold Larwood won in 2009. Hamilton also won in 2007 with his book Provided You Don't Kiss Me.

Previous winners of the prestigious award include Nick Hornby, Brian Moore and Marcus Trescothick. Guardian interviewer Donald McRae, who was also hoping to win his third award, was on the six-strong shortlist this year with his work In Sunshine or in Shadow: How Boxing Brought Hope in the Troubles.

Football is the most successful topic having won seven awards followed by cricket (six) and boxing (five). The Sports Book of the Year prize has been awarded annually since 1989.