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Historical Period No. 3 Post War to the WSC Revolution

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Following the Second World War, Australia continued the domination of world cricket that began in 1934.  Under the captaincy of Bradman, Hassett, Johnson, Craig and Benaud a golden age of Australian Cricket continued until under Simpson's captaincy in 1966 Australia surrendered the number one world ranking.  This ended a 32-year period of continuous domination that, even allowing for the break in pay during the Second World War, has never been equalled. During this time Australia recorded their highest ever rating of 1217 points.  This high point was not bettered until (Sir) Vivian Richards' West Indians set the all time record in 1986 of 1236 points. Indeed, it was the West Indies that claimed first position from the Australians in 1965.  In a preview of what they would achieve in the 1980's to the mid 1990's, West Indies started their charge toward first position in early 1962 starting with their 5-0 destruction of India. By May 1965, West Indies claimed the number one position after defeating Australia in the Caribbean 2-1.  West Indies thus became the third team in history to hold the number one world ranking in Test cricket, peaking at a rating of 1164 points in 1967. Australia briefly regained the number one world ranking under Lawry's captaincy in February 1969 after a series win over West Indies.  However, following the disaster against South Africa immediately before its suspension from competition over apartheid policies, Australia surrendered their lead again - this time to the resurgent England in early 1970. England had not held the number one world ranking since 1934, and only held on until Ian Chappell's Australians returned to the top in 1973.  Australia's reign continued until the World Series Cricket revolution split their talent pool and an improving England claimed first position in July 1978. During this 34-year period only one new nation joined the ranks of test cricket.  Pakistan commenced their first test in early 1953 and maintained a consistent level of results throughout the period.  By the end of the period, Pakistan had set their highest rating of 1030 points and held fifth place in the ratings. Over the period, there was a dramatic increase in the number of test series played as the world "shrank" through faster means of travel such as the introduction of jet airline travel.  A total of 587 tests over 147 series were played, averaging around 4 series and 17 tests each year.  When comparing this to the period between the world wars of around just over one series each year and around 7 tests this is a remarkable increase.