Alec Bedser at 90
The Big Fella in pictures
Bedser sits alongside John Bradman, the Don's son, during the 1946-47 tour. Bedser played in all five Tests, taking 16 wickets, but it was a far from happy series for him•The Cricketer International
Alec and Eric Bedser sign autographs for children at an in-store appearance•The Cricketer International
Bedser in the nets ahead of the 1950 season•Getty Images
Eric Bedser, Arthur McIntyre, Jim Laker and Alec Bedser return to the pavilion after a net at The Oval in the build-up to the 1952 summer•Wisden Cricket Monthly
Len Hutton and Bedser lead England onto the field during the decisive fifth Test at The Oval in 1953 •Getty Images
Bedser turns to see that he has been clean bowled by Ian Johnson in the first Test of the 1954-55 Ashes series, which England lost. Bedser was dropped after this, his penultimate Test. He took 1 for 131 but it later emerged he was suffering from shingles•Patrick Eagar/PA Photos
Chairman of selectors Bedser presents a medallion to Ian Botham on reaching the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in Tests, at Lord's in 1979. Two years later, on the same ground, Bedser was to sack Botham as England captain •Getty Images
Bedser bowls Derbyshire's Bert Alderman during a Championship match at The Oval in 1947•Getty Images
Bedser and a bandaged Denis Compton resume England's innings during the Old Trafford Test in 1948. England were again outplayed, losing the series 0-4•The Cricketer International
Bedser bowls while brother Eric bats during the 1950 Test trial•The Cricketer International
Bedser puts down a chance off Fred Trueman against India at The Oval. Bedser took 20 wickets in a very one-sided series •The Cricketer International
The England side that regained the Ashes at The Oval in 1953. Bedser was supreme, taking 39 wickets at 17.48 with five five-fors•The Cricketer International
Bedser walks off after his final game for Surrey against Glamorgan in August 1960. He took 5 for 25 in the first innings, finishing the summer with 67 wickets•Playfair Cricket Monthly
Bedser is knighted at Buckingham Palace in March 1997•Patrick Eagar/PA Photos
Len Hutton, Bedser, and Denis Compton walking on deck of the Dublin Castle ahead of the MCC tour of South Africa in 1948•Getty Images
Arthur Morris is caught by Trevor Bailey off Bedser during the first Test of the 1950-51 Ashes series. A young England side were outplayed, but Bedser's reputation ballooned as he took 30 wickets at 16.06•Patrick Eagar/PA Photos
A superb side-on study of Bedser in preparation for the 1953 Ashes•Getty Images
Bedser dismisses Ron Archer, his 39th wicket of the 1953 Test series. His aggregate exceeded the previous record for an Ashes series, set by Maurice Tate•The Cricketer International
The Duke of Norfolk shaking hands with England captain Ted Dexter while Bedser, a new selector, looks on •Getty Images
Bedser is presented with a commemorative Almanack on the 60th anniversary of his being named one of the Five Cricketers of the Year•Chris Lane/ESPNcricinfo Ltd