Tantrums and turmoil, racism and riots, class conflicts and colonialism – and some great cricket – in a historic tour

Oborne & Heller on Cricket

In the winter of 1953, the MCC sent a full-strength England team to the West Indies for the first time, led by Len Hutton, the first professional captain. The party included Denis Compton, Tom Graveney, Peter May, Trevor Bailey, and two pairs of great bowlers, Jim Laker and Tony Lock, and Fred Trueman, and Brian Statham. They played a thrilling series against a West Indian team with the three Ws, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes and Frank Worrell, and the spinners Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine, who had triumphed in England three years before. The series was billed informally in advance as the world championship of cricket.

But the cricket took second place to the external dramas, including arson and riots which exposed deep social, political, and racial divisions in both countries. Dr David Woodhouse has written an enthralling book about this series, and its context in both West Indian and English history. He is the guest of Peter Oborne and Richard Heller in their latest cricket-themed podcast. In Peter’s unavoidable absence, Roger Alton is guest host.
Read the full description here: https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/episode-69-tantrums-and-turmoil-racism-and-riots-class-conflicts-and-colonialism-and-some-great-cricket-in-a-historic-tour/

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