Ashes 1958/59: Laker and May
Jim Laker and Peter May during happier times in 1956
by Mayukh Ghosh
Jim Laker and Peter May had been teammates for a decade and Laker enjoyed some of his most successful days under the leadership of May. In his book ‘Spinning Round the World’ (1957) Laker showered praise on May, for his abilities as a leader.
The following year, after playing the third Test against New Zealand, Laker and Lock accompanied May in a drive to Swansea for the next county championship match against Glamorgan.
On the way May’s car broke down and after a long delay they reached Swansea at 3 am.
Next morning Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat. Laker bowled 35 overs on day one. A further 28 in the second innings. He was tired and thought May overbowled him.
Securing a five wicket win at Swansea they rushed to Blackheath to play against Kent.
Again Surrey bowled first and Laker had to toil. 54 overs in the match, for only 2 wickets. Tony Lock picked up 15 wickets in the match.
Surrey lost the match and a disappointed May singled out Laker while finding the causes. He accused Laker of not trying. It didn’t go well with the best spinner in the world.
Knowing fully well that May was to lead the team in Australia later that year, Laker informed Surrey’s secretary that he was no longer available to tour.
It took no time for this news to reach Lord’s and they, rather hastily, informed the Press. It meant mayhem but a very quick intervention from Denis Compton saved the day for M.C.C. and Surrey.
Compton initiated a meeting between Laker and May with Gubby Allen. May was still not ready to take back his words. But the conversations kept on happening and after a few days May finally had something positive to say. He told Laker that he should forget that anything was told to him regarding the Blackheath match.
Laker was happy and made himself available for the Ashes.
But they never went back to those golden days with Surrey. The relationship between the two of them had deteriorated, permanently.
It can be cited as one of the many reasons why England fared badly in the 1958/59 Ashes. They lost it 0-4 and surrendered The Ashes