Ted Dexter captained the English cricket team in Australia in 1962–63, playing as England in the 1962-63 Ashes series against the Australians and as the MCC in their other matches on the tour. Although regarded as strong in batting, the team had a weakened bowling attack and failed to regain the Ashes despite being the first England team to go 1–0 up in Australia since Gubby Allen in 1936–37. The team was managed by the Duke of Norfolk and accompanied by the Reverend David Sheppard (the future Bishop of Liverpool) and Ted Dexter's wife, who did some modelling in Australia, all of which created great press interest in the touring team. Although Dexter and the Australian captain Richie Benaud where both committed to attacking captaincy "brightening up" cricket the last two Tests were dull draws. Not everyone was happy with the glamour that attended the tour, Fred Trueman wrote
The very first press conference was overloaded with questions about whether the Duke of Norfolk's horses would be seen on Australian race tracks. I couldn't believe it. We were there to contest the Ashes, and there was our tour manager talking about horse racing and whether the jockey Scobie Breasley was to fly out and ride for him. Then Ted Dexter's wife arrived in Australia. Ted's wife was a looker and a model. She is a very lovely lady, but on hearing of her arrival, when Ted faced the press, the majority of questions posed were about his wife ... On top of all this we were besieged by clergymen eager to met the Reverend David Sheppard ... In no time at all the news in the press concerning the England team centred on where the Duke of Norfolk's horses were running, what Mrs Dexter was wearing and where David Sheppard was sermonizing.
Read more about English Cricket Team In Australia In 1962–63: Selection, Captain, Manager, Batting, Bowling, Fielding, England Touring Squad, First Test – Brisbane, Second Test – Melbourne, Third Test – Sydney, Fourth Test – Adelaide, Fifth Test – Sydney, External Sources, Annual Reviews, Further Reading
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