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Battleships: The Ashes Voyages

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06/07/2015

BBC Radio 4 - Battleships: The Ashes Voyages

Star England and Australian cricketers remember travelling by ship to play Ashes Tests.

Documentary. David Gower relives the days when England and Australia cricketers went by ship to play in the Ashes. Illustrious players of the 1950s and 60s offer their memories.

To mark the start of the latest Ashes Test cricket series, former England captain David Gower relives the days when England and Australia cricketers went by ship to play in the Ashes.

Legendary Australian players taking part include Neil Harvey (who played in Don Bradman's team in 1948), Alan Davidson, Bill Lawry, Bob Simpson, Graham Mackenzie and Colin MacDonald. Ted Dexter leads the England contingent, joined by such names as Peter Richardson, Peter Parfitt, John Murray and David Larter.

The programme is rich in the colours of a 10,000 mile sea voyage. Stories of life on board include everything from the delights of first-class cabins and fabulous food to fancy dress contests and tricks for fending off fans. 

It was a different world as far as keeping fit for a sportsman was concerned, with fiery fast bowler Fred Trueman testily able to refuse training runs in favour of long hours in a deck chair. 

There are tales of exotic stopping off points. England fast-bowler David Larter tells the story of the day his 'sea-legs' let him down as he tore in to bowl in Colombo - and fell flat on his face. Twice running. Australians Brian Booth and Colin MacDonald re-live the scenes as local traders surrounded their ships on arrival at port after port. There's poignancy, too, as former Times cricket correspondent John Woodcock recalls a pilgrimage by Yorkshire and England cricketers at Naples to lay flowers on the grave of outstanding spin-bowler Hedley Verity, who died fighting in Italy during the Second World War.

What method of travel would these cricketers choose if they were travelling to play now? 

Guess.

Producer: Andrew Green
A Singing Wren production for BBC Radio 4.

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