On July 31, 1956, at Old Trafford in Manchester, England’s off-spinner Jim Laker completed one of the most remarkable individual bowling performances in cricket history, claiming 19 wickets in a single Ashes Test match against Australia. This performance remains a landmark achievement in English cricket, surpassing even the feats of greats like Sydney Barnes, whose record of 17 wickets in a Test stood since 1913.

Laker’s feat, spread over five days from July 26 to 31, took place on a rain-affected pitch that aided spin bowling. His 19 wickets came at a cost of 90 runs, captured in two innings figures of nine for 37 and ten for 53. His performance was markedly superior to that of his spin bowling partner Tony Lock, who could claim only one wicket in the same match despite the helpful conditions. The match concluded at 5:20 pm on July 31 when umpire Emrys Davies adjudged the Australians’ last batsman, Len Maddocks, leg before wicket.

Known for his modesty, Laker’s celebrations were restrained, characterized by a quiet jog up the pavilion steps with his short-sleeved England sweater casually draped over his shoulder. According to accounts, in the dressing room, players marked the occasion with cigarettes and Lucozade, reflecting the era’s understated approach to triumphs.

Born into a working-class Yorkshire family, Laker’s career was notable both on and off the field. Self-taught as an off-spinner, he was a professional who challenged the amateur-dominated structures of English cricket, notably writing the critical memoir “Over to Me,” which temporarily led to his revocation from the Marylebone Cricket Club before reinstatement. Across his career, Laker took 1,944 first-class wickets and 193 Test wickets, cementing his reputation as one of England’s finest bowlers. After retiring, he became a respected television commentator alongside Richie Benaud.

Several artifacts from that historic Test survive in museums and private collections. Among them are the two match balls engraved with silver markers, now preserved at Lord’s Cricket Ground, and a signed scorecard housed at the Oval. The Marylebone Cricket Club president at the time, Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis, presented Laker with a commemorative silver salver, still held by his family. Other personal mementos include a signed pound note from Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year plaque Laker received in 1957, one of only five cricketers to win the award.

Laker’s short-sleeved England sweater, prominently seen draped over his shoulder as he left the field, recently resurfaced in an interesting journey involving former television presenter Michael Aspel, playwright Ray Cooney, cricketer Ryan ten Doeschate, and former England captain Graham Gooch. Aspel bought the sweater at a charity auction in 1980 and later donated it to the organization before it changed hands several times. Gooch now hopes to use the sweater to raise funds for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust.

Those who played alongside Laker, including 93-year-old Micky Stewart, who shared several championship-winning seasons with him at Surrey, recall him as a consummate artist of spin bowling, blending intelligent variations with significant turn. Despite advances in the modern game, Laker’s 19-wicket haul remains widely regarded as the greatest individual performance in an Ashes Test and a defining moment in cricket history.