All Ten: The Ultimate Bowling Feat

199 Jim Laker The Old Trafford pitch had already shown evidence of turn, and the Australians viewed with concern the clouds of dust enveloping it as the groundstaff swept it between innings (although much of this was of course from the footholds). They began well enough in their first innings on Friday afternoon, reaching 48 without loss before the game changed dramatically when Laker switched to the Stretford End, from where he would take all his wickets. Just before four o’clock a sharply turning ball found the edge of McDonald’s bat and Lock picked up the Victorian at backward short leg. Four balls later Laker pitched a ball on left-hander Neil Harvey’s leg stump that clipped off. Laker reckoned that that one ball went a long way to winning the match. Tea came with the Australians in difficulties at 62 for two, but nobody was prepared for the capitulation that followed as Laker took seven wickets for 8 runs in 22 balls. His nine for 37 was a short-lived Ashes record. He had bowled brilliantly but, apart from the openers, none of the Australians demonstrated the technique or application needed to counter a class off-spinner in helpful conditions. Lock, who had picked up his only wicket, Burke caught at slip, from the first ball after tea, was getting used to toiling with little reward while Laker prospered at the other end. Following on Australia again began well, closing at 53 for one. The wicket that fell was neither of the openers. With the score 28 McDonald, hit on the knee by Statham earlier in the match, limped off for attention. He was replaced by Harvey who hit his first ball, a rare Laker full toss, straight to Cowdrey at short midwicket. The great left-hander, having made a same-day pair, threw his bat in the air in despair. Australia were facing a three-day defeat, but the weather had other ideas. Manchester was hit by a violent storm over Friday night and less than an hour’s play was possible next day. England at least made some progress, the obdurate Burke, who had failed to add to his overnight 33, edging to Lock at leg slip. In a series in which no Australian made a century Burke was the only one who averaged 30 (just), and as he also scored more first-class runs than any other tourist Wisden made him one of its Cricketers of the Year. In February 1979 the 48-year-old Burke added his name to the tragically long list of first-class cricketers who have taken their own lives. With more wind and rain once again only an hour’s play was possible on Monday, in conditions so bad that it was necessary to use heavily weighted bails. Australia had still lost only two wickets; any more rain and on an uncovered pitch the chances of play and a home victory would be gone. Fortunately, at least for England, play started only ten minutes late on the final day. McDonald and Ian Craig were still together at lunch, Australia 112 for two and four hours left, and then the sun finally came out and enlivened a damp pitch. Craig went first, leg-before on the back foot after nearly four and a half hours resolute defence. Just 21, Craig was already on his second England tour. One of a number of batsmen unfortunate to be labelled ‘the new Bradman’, he had a useful career but had retired by the time he was 27. A disastrous half hour then left Australia 130 for six, Mackay (again), Miller and Archer all making ducks, but then the sun disappeared once more, the