TED DEXTER
85, FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN, CHAIRMAN OF SELECTORS, PILOT, BUSINESSMAN
I got nudged into writing the book. A little family pressure goes a long way! This was a chance to hear my side of the story. The publishers wanted us to concentrate on the cricket but I thought, well, everyone knows about my cricket. The rest of my life is rather interesting! I just hope the stories will amuse people.
I was employed by an insurance brokers in London when I was made England captain. I was called up to the chairman’s office, Thompson was his name. He sat behind this huge dark desk. “Ah, yes, Dexter, hmm. I hear we’ve been giving you rather a lot of time off to play cricket.” “Yes, that’s right sir.” “Well I’m afraid that’s going to have to come to an end.” “Yes, sir, but I’ve just been made captain of England.” “Yes, yes, I know all about that. But you’ve got to make a decision, my boy…” And I said, “Well, it’s going to have to be cricket, I’m afraid.” “And when this cricket finishes what will you do?” I said that I hoped to have made a mark in cricket and someone might give me a job!