Post Retirement
The publication in 1960 of his ghost-written autobiography, containing severe criticism of his Surrey and England captain Peter May, resulted in his losing honorary memberships of MCC and Surrey. Although these were both eventually restored, he never played for either Surrey or England again.
After his departure from the Surrey team, Laker played some matches for Essex from 1962 to 1965, but was not the force of old.
In later years Laker was a highly regarded cricket commentator for BBC television. His habit of dropping the final "g" when pronouncing words ending in "ing" attracted much affectionate mimicry. "Wry, dry, laconic, he thought about cricket with a deep intensity and a splendidly ironic point of view," wrote John Arlott. Laker died in Putney, London, and was cremated at Putney Vale Crematorium. His ashes were scattered at The Oval Cricket Ground.
A residential street in the Fernhill area of Shipley is named Jim Laker Place, after him.
On 23 August 2009, Jim Laker, along with Jack Hobbs and Len Hutton, were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Read more about this topic: Jim Laker
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