This Day That Year: Jim Laker Took 10 Wickets in an Innings

It’s been 61 years since Jim Laker became the first player to take 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match.

Jim Laker (L) and Anil Kumble (R).

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/@ICC/Reuters)

It has been 61 years since England’s Jim Laker became the first player to take 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match.

In 1956, England desperately needed a victory as they entered the fourth Test at Manchester with the Ashes series tied at 1-1.

After England posted 459 runs in the first innings, Laker took over from there. He first picked up figures of 9/37, helping England dismiss Australia for 84 runs.

After Australia were asked to follow on, the off-spinner took all the 10 wickets and wrapped up a massive victory for England.

Laker recorded figures of 10/53 and England won by an innings and 170 runs. The match ended on 31 July 1956.

Almost 43 years later, the feat was emulated by none other than one of India’s greatest cricketers – Anil Kumble.

During the second Test between India and Pakistan in Delhi in February 1999, Pakistan were set a huge target of 420 runs.

After the visitors got off to a great start with a 101-run partnership, Kumble came on and decimated Pakistan’s chances of winning or drawing the match.

He went on to take all the 10 wickets for 74 runs, hence becoming the second player in the world to achieve the feat.

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