1962–63 Ashes seriesの英語

The 1962–63 Ashes series consisted of five cricket Test matches, each of five days with six hours play each day and eight ball overs, a change as before 1960-61 Australian Test matches had previously been played over six days. It formed part of the MCC tour of Australia in 1962–63 and the matches outside the Tests were played in the name of the Marylebone Cricket Club. The MCC was determined to "brighten up" cricket and to this end chose the handsome, cavalier and talented Ted Dexter to captain a colourful England team managed by His Grace Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard, 16th Duke of Norfolk, KG, GCVO, PC, Earl Marshal and Chief Butler of England. The Duke's presence generated considerable press interest, as did the model Mrs Dexter and the Reverend David Sheppard - the future Bishop of Liverpool - who preached to packed cathedrals across Australia. Dexter made 481 runs (48.10), more than any other England captain in Australia before or since, and Ken Barrington 582 runs (72.75), the most by an Englishman in Australia since Wally Hammond’s 905 runs (113.12) in 1928-29. The England bowlers Fred Trueman and Brian Statham were one of the most famous new-ball partnerships in cricket history, and with 216 and 229 wickets respectively were poised to overtake the record of 236 Test wickets set by the assistant-manager Alec Bedser. The Australian captain Richie Benaud was another contender with 219 wickets, but it was Statham who broke the record (only to be overtaken by Trueman in New Zealand) and Benaud had to be content with breaking Ray Lindwall's Australian record of 228 Test wickets. The Australian team had the great opening partnership Bobby Simpson and Bill Lawry who were supported by Peter Burge, Brian Booth, Neil Harvey, Ken Mackay, Norm O'Neill and Barry Shepherd. The left-handed all-rounder Alan Davidson was the best bowler, taking 24 wickets (20.00) in the series and wrecking England chances with his 5/25 in the Second Test. He was supported by the 21-year-old fast bowler Garth McKenzie, who took 20 wickets (30.95), but no other Australian bowler averaged under 40. The England team and the British press had been scathing about the quality of Australian umpiring in 1958-59, but 1962-63 was free of rancour, which reflected well on Colin Egar, Ted Wykes, Bill Smyth and Lou Rowan and Alan Mackley, though Rowan would have difficulties with Ray Illingworth, Geoffrey Boycott and John Snow in 1970-71. Johnny Moyes wrote that "The demeanour of the umpires has been splendid. They have been, but not too friendly. When they have had to intervene they have done so firmly but not obtrusively. There have been mistakes, of course - there will always be mistakes - but general the standard of umpiring has been very pleasing."