The man who took 19 wickets for 90

James Charles Laker or Jim Laker is the man with a record that till now remains unchallenged in the world of cricket. The man who has successfully shielded his record of picking up 19 wickets for 90 runs is a phenomenal bowler who played for the Surrey County Cricket Club. In a world bereft of fantasy cricket this man achieved what still many couldn't.  

Being born in Putney district of London in the year 1922, Jim happens to carry an identity with him of being one of the trickiest bowler from England. Nevertheless, this formidable bowler did not do much in his career but astonishingly, what he did has remained uncontested till now. Jim’s daunting feat of taking 19 wickets is still unsurpassed by bowlers who have managed to take 17 wickets at most.  

Laker would be remembered forever in the history of cricket for the Old Trafford Test of 1956. Here, his 19 for 90 remain the only 19-wicket haul in history. Moreover, his 10 for 53 in the second innings are also the best innings bowling figures in Test cricket. Playing for the Surrey County cricket club he proved to be the backbone of the team where he took the team to win the County Championship seven times in a row between 1952 and 1958. Laker’s 46 Tests fetched him 193 wickets at a phenomenal 21.24, while his First-Class figures, mostly for Surrey, got him 1,944 wickets at 18.41, which meant he fell agonisingly short of both landmarks. Nevertheless, Jim still has the best bowling average if we put a 150-wicket cut-off.  

In contrast to the fact, that Laker is only remembered for his achievement as a bowler, Jim was actually an all-rounder. Laker started his career as a batsman and medium-pacer. Infact, when Laker in his teenage years went to Yorkshire nets before World War II, it was as batsman that he earned a reputation. He would also go on to become a very good fielder, especially at gully. His batting talent would later become useful at Trent Bridge against Don Bradman’s Invincibles: a 101-minute 63 on his first Test on English soil would help England reach 165 after being 74 for 8. 

Laker’s numbers are phenomenal, as mentioned above, but his record against Australia is outstanding even by his lofty standards. Not only did he take 79 wickets at 18.27 against them, he got them from a mere 15 Tests. Even on that ill-fated Australian summer of 1958-59 (of which we will discuss later) when England were obliterated 0-4, Laker topped the English bowling charts with 15 wickets at 21.20, the same as his career average. 

 In 1981 Laker was diagnosed with a near-fatal aortic aneurism but recovered well. Though he was back behind the microphone, things were never the same. In 1986 he was hospitalised for three weeks. Pancreatitis was the diagnosis; they decided to do away with his gall-bladder. He recovered, but not for long. This time he was down with septicaemia. He passed away at Parkside Clinic, Wimbledon on April 23 that year. Bill Edrich, Laker’s opponent for many a London derby, died next day. The memorial service was held at Southwalk Cathedral. True to his wish, he was cremated (at Putney Vale Crematorium). His ashes were scattered at The Oval.