Alec Bedser
England's post-war bowling colossus, whose mastery of the leg-cutter tormented Australian batsmen for a generation.
1918–2010 (age 92)·English cricketer·Birthday: July 4·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Alec Bedser, with his brother Eric always at his side, formed the backbone of England's cricket attack in the austere years following World War II. A man of formidable physique and even greater stamina, Bedser bowled medium-fast with relentless accuracy and a devastating leg-cutter that seemed to defy the laws of physics. He shouldered an enormous workload, often bowling marathon spells because England simply had no one else like him. His greatest duels were with Don Bradman's Australians; he dismissed the legendary Bradman more times than any other bowler. Bedser's 236 wickets in just 51 Tests stood as an English record for nearly two decades. After his playing days, he served as a selector and chairman for England for many years, his wise, no-nonsense approach influencing national teams for decades. Knighted for his services to cricket, he remained a revered and gruffly affectionate figure in the game.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Alec was born in 1918, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alec Was Born
The biggest hits of 1918
Alec's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1918Born
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1923Started school
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1931Became a teenager
The Empire State Building opens as the world's tallest
Gas: $0.17/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Minnie the Moocher" — Cab CallowayBest Picture: Cimarron
1934Could drive
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1936Could vote
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Turned 21
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1948Turned 30
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1958Turned 40
NASA founded
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Volare" — Domenico ModugnoBest Picture: Gigi
1968Turned 50
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1978Turned 60
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1988Turned 70
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1998Turned 80
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2010Died at 92
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
Key Achievements
- Took 236 wickets in Test cricket, which was a record for an English bowler for 19 years.
- Dismissed the great Australian batsman Don Bradman a record six times in Test matches.
- Was knighted in 1996 for his services to the sport of cricket.
Did You Know?
He and his twin brother, Eric Bedser, both played first-class cricket for Surrey, though Eric only played one Test for England.
He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
He was the chairman of the England cricket selectors for a period of 13 years.
“I bowled to my field, and the wicket was a reward for patience.”
