This day 59 years ago: Jim Laker cements his place in history

On this day in 1956, when Len Maddocks the Australian wicketkeeper and No. 11 batsman was trapped in front on the fifth day of the fourth Ashes Test, history was made. History that is, by all possibilities, unlikely to repeat itself. [caption id=“attachment_2373700” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  England’s Jim Laker in action. Getty images[/caption] The man who got that wicket - and 18 others in that famous Test match at Old Trafford, Manchester in 1956 is English off-spinner Jim Laker. He followed figures of 16.4-4-37-9 in the first innings with figures of 51.2-23-53-10 in the second innings. On a dusty pitch that was meant to aid the English spinners, Laker outshone his left-arm orthodox partner, Tony Lock - who is now part of a famous trivia question - who took the only wicket Laker didn’t take? For Indian cricket fans, any mention of Laker inevitably brings back memories of Anil Kumble taking all 10 Pakistan wickets for 74 runs on that famous day in Feroz Shah Kotla. But 59 years later, Jim Laker’s feat still remains unmatched. Not even in First class cricket has Laker’s tally of 19 wickets been surpassed. Relive that day with this classic Youtube video below. It is remarkable how minimal the celebrations were when Laker gets his 19th and completes the Perfect Ten. The Gentlemen’s game.