Biography

Alec Bedser was an English medium fast bowler, who played for England between 1946 and 1955, but lasted much more, for his county, Surrey, playing from 1939 to 1960, and picking up – hold your breath – just less 2000 wickets in first class cricket! Bedser loved bowling his inswingers; it was a delivery that he could bowl in his sleep. It was the outswinger that was more potent, almost ‘spun’ like a legspinner bowled at a quick pace that surprised the batsmen more often than not, and in turn picked his scalp.

Bedser made his debut against India, and it would be safe to assume that not many of the Indian cricketers had too much clue about his bowling. His first two Tests were like a dream come true and he picked up 22 wickets conceding less than 240 runs. His best bowling figures though were 14/99, which came against Australia, but surprisingly the latter held out for a draw. This was also his last full Ashes, wherein he managed to pick up 39 wickets at only 17.5 per wicket, and helped England regain the Ashes.

He retired from first class cricket in 1960 and then was made the selector of the English National team, a post he held for a record 23 years. He was then made the President of Surrey, and knighted in 1996 for his services to cricket. Bedser had an identical twin, Eric, who played county cricket for Surrey too.