On this day in 1956: Jim Laker takes a world-record 19-wicket haul

English off-spinner Jim Laker, on 31st July 1956, created a record that may never be broken in the international arena. Representing England against Australia in a Test match, the right-arm spinner grabbed a total of 19 wickets and completely bamboozled Australia’s batting line-up.

England batted first and scored 459 runs in their first innings at Manchester’s Old Trafford, with Peter Richardson and David Sheppard scoring excellent hundreds for their team. For Australia, spinners Richie Benaud and Ian Johnson took a combined six wickets for 274 runs.

In reply, Australia had a decent start, but all of it changed once Laker was introduced in the bowling. At first, he scalped Colin McDonald and then immediately bowled Neil Harvey. He also scalped the wickets of Ian Craig, Keith Miller, Ken Mackay, Ron Archer, Richie Benaud, Len Maddocks, and skipper Ian Johnson to finish his spell with a total of nine wickets in 16.4 overs, giving away just 37 runs.

After bundling out Australia for just 84 runs in their first innings, the home team enforced the follow-on. Australia had another decent start with the bat but they could not do much against Laker’s brilliance with the ball as the off-spinner started where he left off during the first innings and went berserk as he scalped all ten wickets of the Australian side, of which two were bowled, six caught, and two leg-before wickets.

Laker bowled a total of 51.2 overs, of which 23 overs were maidens as he gave away only 53 runs and took all ten wickets in the second innings. For Australia, opener Colin McDonald scored 89 runs and was the highest run-scorer for his team. As a result, the Three Lions completed a resounding victory over Australia by an innings and 170 runs.