Bent Arms and Dodgy Wickets

"[This book tells the story of English cricket's slow recovery from the dislocatioh of the Second World War, of its time of triumph after Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation and of its undignified fall from grace - a tale of fluctuating fortunes reflected in the memoirs of those who took part, including Sir Len Hutton, Denis Compton, Fred {Freddy] Trueman and Jim Laker for England; Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller for Australia; Jackie McGlew and Roy McLean for South Africa, and Sir Everton Weekes for the West Indies. The title refers not only to sporting controversies of the time - notably suspect bowling actions and poor pitches - but also to the political sensitivities and class constraints impinging on cricketers' lives as Britain declined as an imperial power. Hampered by class snobbery, anachronistic fixations and a uncompetitive domestic game, England's spell in the fitful fifties was a temporary triumph only. ..."--Back cover.