Surrey's Alec Bedser has a boys own debut against the touring Indian's in a horribly wet English summer

Still on Army pay the services team play in India and then against their home States, underappreciated at home the side breaks up with only Keith Miller and Lindsey Hassett (pictured) included in a rare Test visit to New Zealand .

After VE day and with a few Australian Servicemen knocking about the place, Lords(3), Brammall Lane and Old Trafford played host to 5 matches; the cricket was light hearted and fun, emotions ran high and one figure came to symbolise Empire, Commonwealth, Cricket and Victory.

Cricket matches and cricketers during the second world war.

Bill Voce opens the bowling in my Team of the Decade for the 1930's but who else gets the nod?

Leslie Hylton was convicted of murdering his wife, he was hanged in 1955, banners at the Kennington Oval flown by frustrated West Indian fans after a number of dropped catches in the slips by test opener John Holt read "Hang Holt save Hylton"

England's Reg Perks, Bryan Valentine and Eddie Paynter on the beach in South Africa circa 1938. Perks took 5 wickets, Valentine scored a quick fire hundred, Paynter made hundreds great & small, but flat pitches spoiled the contest including the longest test match of them all.

Don Bradman leads the Australians to England in 1938; Len Hutton helps England fightback by taking Bradman's test innings high score.

Jack Cowie a right arm fast bowler makes his mark for New Zealand. Walter Robbins leads a youthful England  as Hutton, Washbrook and Compton make an appearance.

Peggy Antonio, a girl from the wrong end of Port Melbourne used her love of cricket to travel the world and walk in the corridors of power. The parallels with fellow leg spinner Arthur Mailey are uncanny.