PAIR OF BAILS FROM 4TH ASHES TEST 1961, OLD TRAFFORD

The three plaques read as follows:

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Left - 'Presented to Our Patron A.L. Blackshaw, Esq. in appreciation, commemorating 50 years active service to cricket in the St. George District.'

Right - 'These Bails were donated by Brian Booth and were used in the 4th Test Match at Old Trafford, July 1961 England v. Australia'

Bottom - 'Georges River - Penshurst District Cricket Association'

Presented to the St George District Cricket Club by L.B. Blackshaw. The bails on the trophy were souvenired by Brian Booth in his 1st test - the 4th Ashes test of the 1961 series, which was played at Old Trafford. Booth scored 46 in the First Innings score of 190 and 9 in the Second Innings score of 432.

The match is regarded as a famous victory for the Australians. Chasing 256 for victory, the English had reached 1-150. They would go on to lose 9-51 as Richie Benaud captured 6 wickets bowling around the wicket to dismiss England for 201. Benaud changed his regular approach in order to exploit the footmarks in the pitch made by Fred Trueman. The plan worked and Australia won the test match to lead the series 2-1.

These bails are a fascinating piece of test cricket history.