Jim Laker

James Charles (Jim) Laker (February 9, 1922, Frizinghall, near Bradford, Yorkshire–April 23, 1986, Putney, London) was a cricketer who played for England in the 1950s.

Related Topics:
February 9 - 1922 - Frizinghall - Bradford - Yorkshire - April 23 - 1986 - Putney - London - Cricket - England - 1950s

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Known as an elegant off-spin bowler, Laker consistently performed well against Australian cricket teams, and formed a successful partnership with Tony Lock, a left-arm orthodox spinner. He was also part of the Surrey side that dominated the county championship with seven consecutive titles from 1952 to 1958.

Related Topics:
Off-spin - Bowler - Australian cricket team - Tony Lock - Left-arm orthodox spin - Surrey - County championship - 1952 - 1958

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Laker was the first to take all 10 wickets in a Test match innings, in the fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956 (the only other bowler to take all 10 wickets is Anil Kumble of India). Having also taken 9 wickets in the first innings, he recorded match figures of 19-90: no other bowler has taken more than seventeen wickets in a first-class match.

Related Topics:
Wicket - Test match - Innings - Old Trafford - 1956 - Anil Kumble - India - First-class

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Laker was married to an Austrian national who did not know much about cricket. On the day of his achievement when he arrived home, his wife asked him: "Jim, did you do something good today?" after she handled hundreds of congratulatory calls.

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He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1952. He played 46 Test matches, taking 193 wickets with a bowling average of 21.24; in first-class matches, he took 1,944 wickets at 18.41.

Related Topics:
''Wisden'' Cricketer of the Year - Bowling average

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After his retirement from the Surrey team, he played occasionally for Auckland and Essex. In later years Laker was a commentator on BBC television's cricket coverage.

Related Topics:
BBC - Television

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