This is the third in the series of four posts on the History of Cricket in England. The first post dealt with “The Ealy Years of Cricket in England’, while the second post dealt with “History of Cricket in England between 1900 and World War 2.”
Now, not surprisingly, the third part of the series will deal with the second half of the 21st century, from the end of World War 2 until the year 2000.
Following the cessation of World War 2, English cricket, like many aspects of British life, faced a period of reconstruction and revival. The immediate post-war years marked a fervent rekindling of international cricket, reflecting a broader societal eagerness to return to normalcy and international camaraderie.
After the hiatus and devastation caused by the war, there was a palpable yearning not only to resume but also to rejuvenate the sport.
This era is defined not only by recovery, but by significant evolution and modernization within the game. English cricket during these decades underwent a transformation that would redefine its structure and approach, both domestically and internationally.
The post war period saw the introduction of new cricketing technologies and the gradual adoption of more professional attitudes towards training and play.
Innovations in equipment and playing techniques began to surface as players and administrators sought to attract larger audiences and adapt to changing times. Television coverage began in the 1950s, significantly expanding cricket’s reach and embedding it more deeply in the cultural fabric of England.
This was also a time of great players who would leave an indelible mark on the sport. Players like Sir Alec Bedser, Sir Ian Botham, Geoffrey Boycott, Graham Gooch and David Gower would become household names. Their exploits not only brough victories but also inspired a generation to view cricket as a symbol of national pride and individual perseverance.
Cricket in England during the second half of the 20th century, mirrored the nation’s broader narrative of regeneration and progress, carving out a new era that respected its rich traditions while boldly stepping into the future.
Resurgence of Test Cricket (1945 – 1960)
The period between 1945 and 1960 marked a critical phase in the resurgence of Test cricket, particularly with the emotional and symbolic restoration of the Ashes series post-World War II. The first ashes after the war was played in 1946, and England won the first test of that series, although Australia would clinch the final two tests to win 2-1.
It would take until the 1953 Ashes series before England finally reclaimed the urn from Australia, the first time since 1934. The victory was not just a triumph in the scorebooks; it was a significant morale booster for a nation still recovering from the war’s efforts.
The five match series, won 1-0 after the first 4 tests finished as draws, epitomized the spirit of resilience and revival that characterized English cricket during these years.
Alec Bedser (right) in 1946 with his twin brother Eric [1], Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Key figures during this period played pivotal roles in not only reviving but also advancing the sport within England. Sir Alec Bedser, renowned for his exceptional swing bowling, was instrumental in England’s success in the 1953 series. In 9 bowling innings, he took 39 wickets at an average of just 16.9, including five 5-wicket hauls.
Another monumental figure was Jim Laker, who etched his name into cricketing folklore with his record breaking 19 wickets in the fourth Test match against Australia at Manchester in 1956. He took 9/37 in the first innings, and an even better 10/53.
(And in case you are wondering, the one remaining wicket was taken by Tony Lock. It was the third wicket of the first innings, so it wasn’t like he waited until Laker had taken the first 15 or 16 before sliding in there with his own.)
In that 5 test series, Jim Laker was almost unplayable, taking 46 wickets at the ridiculously low average of 9.6. He was a major reason for England’s 2-1 series victory, with both of England’s wins being by an innings. In fact, in those two tests alone, Laker took 30 wickets at an average of 6.8.
Additionally, the era saw the rise of batsmen like Peter May and Colin Cowdrey, whose techniques and temperaments set new standards for English batting. May, in particular, was known for his stylish play and strong leadership as captain, guiding the team through several successful series in the late 1950s.
During this period from the end of World War 2 to 1960, England played 115 tests, winning 45, losing 31 and drawing 39. However, their record against Australia, their biggest rivals, was not as good, despite the heroics of Jim Laker, and the successful series of 1953. They played 35 played, for 7 wins, 17 losses and 11 draws.
But even so the resurgence of Test cricket in this period reignited passion and interest in the sport across England. With television broadcasting beginning to take root, these iconic matches and players drew unprecedented public engagement, setting the stage for cricket’s modern ear.
Birth of One Day Cricket (1960s to 1970s)
The landscape of cricket underwent a transformative change in the 1960s and 1970s with the birth of One Day cricket.
The genesis of limited overs cricket in the first class format occurred in 1963 with the introduction of the Gillette Cup in England. This competition featured one-day singing innings matches per side, initially set to 65 overs each.
The first official match in this format was played on May 1, 1963, between Lancashire and Leicestershire at Old Trafford, Manchester. The creation of the Gilette Cup was driven by the need to make cricket more appealing and accessible to spectators, offering a definitive result within a single day’s player.
Ironically, given all that, the match carried over to the next day, due to rain.
In any case, this innovation eventually paved the way for the first official One Day International (ODI) match, which took place on January 5, 1971 between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the site, interesting enough, of the first ever Test match.
The match was organized after the first three days of a scheduled test was washed out, and a decision was made to play a one-day match to ensure spectators had a game to watch. The match consisted of 40 eight-ball overs per side, and was won by Australia by 5 wickets, chasing down England’s total of 190 all out with 42 balls still remaining.
The introduction of ODI cricket was primarily motivated by the need for shorter, more viewer-friendly matches. Traditional Test cricket often stretched over five days, and in those days in particular would often end in a draw, which was becoming increasingly unattractive in a fast-paced, post-war society looking for quicker, more engaging sporting events.
One Day cricket offered not only a faster pace but also a guaranteed result (weather permitting), making it an ideal spectator sport.
The success of the ODI format led to the establishment of the Cricket World Cup in 1975, which further cemented the importance and popularity of limited overs cricket on the international stage.
Swinging Sixties: The Evolution and Triumphs of English Test Cricket
We’ll return to One Day cricket soon, but we’d be remiss not to talk about English test cricket during the 1960s.
This decade was pivotal for English Test cricket, marked by both evolution and challenge. It saw England striving to maintain its prominence in the international cricket arena, marked by fierce rivalries and iconic performances.
During the 60s, English cricket was characterized by its strong reliance on technically skilled batsmen and a formidable bowling attack. The decade began with England under the captaincy of Peter May, one of the finest batsmen of his time, who led the team with distinction. May’s leadership and batting prowess were central to England’s strategy and successes during the early part of the decade.
One of the most memorable moments of the 1960s for English cricket came with the Ashes series. The rivalry with Australia remained as intense as ever, with series typically hard-fought and closely contested. The 1964 Ashes series, in England, ended in a draw, reflecting the evenly matched nature of the competition during this period.
Bowlers like Fred Trueman, who became the first cricketer to take 300 Test wickets, significantly influenced the era. His aggressive fast bowling and competitive spirit epitomized the English approach to Test cricket during the 1960s. Alongside him, spinner Derek Underwood began his career, later becoming one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time.
During this decade England played 100 tests, winning 32, losing 52, and drawing 53. Those high number of draws became one of the pivotal reasons why One Day Cricket was created, as previously mentioned. Against their Ashes rivals Australia, they played 25 tests for 4 wins, 6 losses, and 15 draws.
Development and Formalization of One Day Cricket (1970s – 1980s)
The 1970s and 1980s marked a significant period in the evolution of One Day International (ODI) cricket, characterized by the establishment of regular ODI series and the introduction of the Cricket World Cup.
The inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975, hosted by England, was a watershed event for the sport. This tournament was the first global competition of its kind in cricket, bringing together teams from around the world in a one-day format. England’s roll as host reflected its central position in the cricketing world and its embrace of the evolving format. The tournament featured matches consisting of 60 overs per side.
England’s performance in the 1975 World Cup was commendable. They reached the semi-final but were defeated by Australia, who would then go on to lose the final against the West Indies.
In the 1979 World Cup, again hosted in England, England would go one better and reach the finals, only to lose this time to the West Indies.
In the 1983 World Cup, hosted for a third success in England, would once again reach the semi-finals, but lose against eventual World Cup winners India.
And in the 1987 World Cup, the first held outside England in India and Pakistan, England reached the final again, only to lose to Australia.
Overall, during these initial two decades of ODI cricket, England would perform admirably. They played 166 matches, won 91, lost 70, with 1 tied and 4 no results. Against individual countries, they had a positive win/loss ratio against all of them, except the West Indies. (14 wins, 19 losses from 33 games). Even against old foes, Australia, their record was positive, with 47 matches played, for 24 wins, 21 losses, 1 tied and 1 no result.
The development and formalization of ODI cricket during the 1970s and 1980s significantly impacted the sport, paving the way for the more dynamic formats seen today, including T20 cricket. The success of the World Cup and the growing regularity of ODI series globally underscored cricket’s expanding international footprint and its ability to innovate and attract diverse audiences.
Trials and Triumphs – Test Cricket (1970s)
The 1970s marked a period of both trials and triumphs for the English Test cricket team. Despite facing internal strife and challenges, such as frequent turnover of team personnel and leadership, as well as tensions regarding team selection, England displayed resilience and determination, achieving notable successes on the international stage.
Geoffrey Boycott batting v NZ 1978 Archives New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Thanks to players such as Geoffrey Boycott, Mike Brearley, and Tony Greig, England secured significant series victories against formidable opponents, including Australia and India. In fact, of the 21 series England played over the course of the decade (not include one-off tests), England won 12 of them, and drew 6.
There were controversies, as well. Mike Denness’ tenure as captain was marked by criticism and controversy, particularly during the infamous “Packer Affair” when several key players defected to World Series Cricket, a breakaway competition started by media mogul Kerry Packer.
This defection caused significant turmoil within English cricket and further exacerbated existing tensions within the team.
But overall, it was still a decade of success for the English test cricket team. Of the 95 tests they played, they won 33, lost 21 and drew 41. They had positive win/loss ratios against all test nations except West Indies (13 played, 1 win, 6 losses and 6 draws). Against Australia, this record was 34 matches played, 13 won, 10 lost and 11 drew.
Challenges and Controversies (1980s – 1990s)
The 1980s and 1990s were tumultuous decades for English cricket, marked by significant challenges and controversies that affected both its Test and One Day International (ODI) teams. During this period, English cricket faced stiff competition from emerging cricket nations, which began to assert their dominance on the international stage. Additionally, internal controversies, particularly the rebel tours to South Africa, cast a long shadow over the sport.
The rise of teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe introduced new competitive dynamics in the international cricket arena. These nations brought fresh talent and enthusiasm, challenging the traditional powerhouses with their unique styles and strategic approaches.
For England, this meant adapting to increasingly diverse competitors who often played unpredictably and with great vigour, pushing the English team to refine their tactics and elevate their game standards.
Perhaps more disruptively, the 1980s witnessed several English players participating in so-called “rebel tours” to South Africa. At the time, South Africa was under a sporting boycott due to its apartheid policies, and these tours were organized in defiance of international sanctions.
The tours not only drew widespread condemnation from both political and sporting figures worldwide but also led to deep divisions within English cricket. Players involved in the tours faced bans and significant backlash, which affected team morale and the public’s perception of English cricket.
The impact of these controversies extended to both Test and ODI formats, as they disrupted team selections and overshadowed England’s international engagements. The uncertainty and frequent changes in the team composition hindered the development of a stable, cohesive unit, affecting performance levels in crucial series and tournaments.
The rebel tours, in particular, led to a loss of focus and direction, which took years to recover from.
Moreover, these challenges coincided with administrative struggles within the English cricket establishment, further complicating efforts to modernize and improve the sport’s infrastructure and appeal.
Performance-wise, the 1980’s would be the worst English team’s worst performing decade so far.
A large reason for this would be because they played so many games against the West Indies, during a time when the West Indies were unbeatable.
And we mean, literally unbeatable, at least for the English team, who played then 24 times over the course of the 1980s for not a solitary win (17 losses, 7 draws).
Overall, England played 104 tests during this decade, and won 20, lost 39 and drew 45. Against Australia, they played 32, won 9, lost 11 and drew 12.
But despite all of these issues, England will always have the 1981 Ashes home series against Australia, a 6 match series won 3-1 by the English. Even more impressive than the scoreline, was the come-from-behind nature of two of the victories.
I have already included a fairly detailed account of these two tests in a previous History of Cricket in Australia post and as an Australian fan, please don’t make me repeat it here. Have a read of that post instead.
As for the 1990s, England embarked on a journey of rebuilding and rejuvenation under the leadership of captains like Graham Gooch, Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart, aiming to reclaim their status as a cricketing powerhouse.
Andrew Flintoff bowling Jonathan Nalder, CC BY 2.0
One of the defining features of English test cricket in the 1990s was the emergence of a new generation of talent. Players like Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain and Andrew Flintoff burst onto the scene, injecting youthful energy and dynamism into the team.
There were many difficulties in the 1990s, but there many significant achievements, including series wins against the West Indies and South Africa, and Graham Gooch’s dream test against India where he scored 333 and 123. He even got a wicket.
Three One Day International World Cups were played during the 1990’s. England made it to the final of the 1992 World Cup, held at the MCG, only to lose to Pakistan by 22 runs. In the 1996 World Cup held in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, England came 4th of 6 in their Group B pool games, but that was enough to get them into the quarter finals.
But once there, they were comfortably beaten by eventual winners, Sri Lanka, who chased down their 8/235 with 56 balls still remaining and losing only 5 wickets, thanks to a blistering 82 off 44 balls by Sanath Jayasuriya.
The final World Cup, 1999, was held in England, and English expectations were positive. Reality, however, wasn’t. England would once again come 4th of 6 in the Group stage, but this time, only the first three teams qualified to what was known as the Super Six.
Overall, during the 1990s, England played 107 tests, won 26, lost 43 and drew 38. Against Australia, their results were woeful, playing 27, winning 5, losing 16 and drawing 6, losing every Ashes series played. This was during a time when Australia would become the best team in the world.
England also played 135 one day games, winning 60, losing 70, tying 1, with 4 no results.
Women’s Cricket Development
Throughout the later part of the 20th century, women’s cricket made substantial strides towards achieving recognition and equality, albeit with considerable obstacles along the way.
Originally, the women’s game was governed by the Women’s Cricket Association, formed in 1926. This was then integrated with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 1998. This integration was a crucial step in providing women’s cricket with the institutional support necessary to grow at the grassroots and elite levels. The ECB’s involvement helped in structuring competitions, improving facilities, and increasing funding, which were previously major challenges.
The late 20th century brought increasing media attention, particularly with England’s success on the international stage, such as their victory in the Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1993. This was their second Women’s Cricket World Cup, having also won the first edition in 1973. These achievements not only highlighted the prowess of English women cricketers but also helped in garnering more support and visibility for the sport, and would, in the early 2000s, lead to women cricketers receiving professional contracts from the ECB.
Despite the progress, the journey was fraught with challenges. Funding and resources were often inadequate, and the struggle for equal treatment with men’s cricket continued. However, the foundational work done during the late 20th century laid a solid groundwork for the successes and visibility that women’s cricket in England enjoys today, setting a precedent for continuous growth and development in the 21st century.
Conclusion
The evolution of English Test and ODI cricket from the end of World War 2 to the year 2000 marked a period of high highs and low lows, of difficulties, transformations and transitions. Post World War 2, English cricket embarked on a journey of rebuilding and reformation, which was characterized by the resurgence of international competitions and the introduction of iconic players who elevated the game’s standards and appeal.
Technological advancements and media expansion in the 1980s and 1990s further revolutionized the game. Innovations like coloured clothing, night games and the introduction of the third umpire became standard, enhancing the spectator experience and expanding cricket’s appeal to a broader demographic.
Moreover, the professionalization of the sport through central contracts and the strategic incorporation of foreign coaching expertise aimed to enhance England’s competitiveness on the international stage.
These developments at the close of the 20th century set the stage for the 21st century cricket landscape in England. They laid the groundwork for a more dynamic and commercially viable sport, aligning cricket more closely with global sports practices and market demands.
The foundation laid during these transformative years enabled English cricket to enter the new millennium with renewed focus on competitive excellence and innovation, ensuring its continued growth and enduring popularity.
We hope you’ve enjoyed part 3, and will return for History of Cricket in England part 4, where we’ll look at The History of Cricket in England from 2000 to now.
If you have any interesting stories about English cricket during this time period, we’d love to read them. Please leave them in the comments below.