Graham Anthony Richard Lock, popularly known as Tony Lock, was an exceptional cricketer from England who was born on July 5, 1929. He passed away on March 30, 1995, in Perth, Western Australia at the age of 65. Lock had a remarkable career, both as a player and captain, and he made a name for himself as an aggressive and attacking left-arm spinner. His partnership with Jim Laker during Surrey’s dominant period in the 1950s and England’s Ashes victories became legendary in cricket history.
Lock made his debut for Surrey in the County Championship in 1946, just a week after his 17th birthday. He quickly established himself as a talented young spinner with his excellent catching ability and took 830 catches throughout his career. Lock’s contribution to Surrey’s success was significant, as the team won the County Championship every year from 1952 to 1958. He played a crucial role in helping England regain and retain the coveted Ashes during this period.
Initially, Lock relied on his leg-break but struggled to gain higher honors due to his lack of spin. He then worked on his technique during the winters, leading to a lower trajectory that produced vicious spin at medium-pace. However, his unorthodox action was often criticized, and he faced allegations of throwing his quicker ball. Despite these controversies, Lock’s performances remained exceptional, and he was praised for his relentless determination and skill.
Lock was selected to play for England against Australia in the 1953 Ashes series. While his resolute batting played a crucial role in securing a victory at Headingley, it was his bowling performance at The Oval that contributed to England’s Ashes triumph. Lock took an impressive 5 wickets for 45 runs, partnering with Laker’s 4 wickets to dismiss Australia for 162 and bring back the Ashes after a long hiatus. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was named one of the Five Cricketers of the Year by Wisden in the following year.
Lock’s success extended beyond English shores as well. He performed exceptionally well on MCC’s tour of India and Pakistan in 1961-62, emerging as the leading wicket-taker. In the domestic circuit, Lock played for Leicestershire and proceeded to captain the team from 1965 to 1967. His infectious enthusiasm and leadership skills resulted in a significant rise in the team’s performance.
In the latter part of his career, Lock played for Western Australia, where he assumed the captaincy in 1967-68 and led the team to their second Sheffield Shield victory. He also coached cricket in Perth and served as the cricket professional at Mill Hill School in north London from 1987 to 1991.
Unfortunately, Lock’s final years were marred by allegations of sexual abuse involving young girls. Despite being cleared of charges, the legal proceedings and the loss of his wife to a heart attack took a toll on his life. Lock expressed his bitterness over the fact that he would be remembered for the allegations and not his cricketing achievements.
However, Lock’s legacy as one of the most aggressive spin bowlers and exceptional fielders in cricket history will undoubtedly endure. He was an integral part of Surrey and England’s success during the 1950s and made significant contributions to the sport both in domestic and international cricket. With a remarkable overall record of 2,844 wickets at an average of 19.23, including 174 wickets in 49 Tests at 25.58, Lock’s impact on the game cannot be ignored. He will be remembered as a talented and durable cricketer who achieved great success on the field, despite the challenges he faced off it.
