Karl Schneider was the pride of Xavier College, a teenage prodigy whose cricket and football prowess forged an elite status among Melbourne schoolboys 100 years ago.

Despite his diminutive statue – he was just 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) – young Karl was being groomed to succeed the legendary Warren Bardsley as Australia's opening batsman when selected ahead of a young Don Bradman for Australia's 1928 tour of New Zealand.

Tragically, he never was to achieve his dream of wearing a Baggy Green Cap.

Having accessed original letters, diaries and Schneider family memorabilia via school archives, Xavier old boy, lawyer and cricket buff MICHAEL LEFÈBVRE tells a poignant, heartbreaking story brilliantly.

Xavier College has access to this magnificent signed limited edition. It is $60.