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Separation builds a major element of the Ashes appeal - cricket's oldest competitors split by 10,000 miles, across different hemispheres, the supreme sporting quest.

Modern England cricketers encounter Australian aggression as soon as they land. Nevertheless, today's teams travel in maximum comfort - airport lounges, first-class travel, beds in the sky.

Those Bygone Age of Sea Journeys

Among England cricketers of the previous generations – and Australians journeying the opposite way – an Ashes expedition was made by ship, meaning weeks and weeks at sea.

The emerging talent, one of the final England squad to travel to Australia by ship on the historical tour, had a "fantastic" experience.

"You enjoyed being on a massive ocean liner like that, and the life it offered while you were on there," recalls Larter, now in his eighties.

Voyage Details

Even the 1962-63 tour was not quite the demanding trip of prior Ashes voyages. The England squad flew part of the way, to Aden, where they joined their vessel The Canberra for the remaining part of the voyage to Perth.

Larter was merely twenty-two at the time. Standing over six and a half feet, he was a bowler of impressive pace, capable of producing difficult bounce.

Life During the Ship

Once launch there was the challenge of how to spend the time at sea.

"In my case, you dine," notes Larter. "Frankly, I've never had, either earlier or afterwards, such a ongoing spell of magnificent eating."

Given abundant portions of food on offer and an Ashes series to get ready for, the team members had to keep fit.

Training Difficulties

Their England leadership sought to advance things a level further.

Unexpectedly, they learned that British athlete Gordon Pirie was on board. Pirie had won 5,000m second place at the 1956 Olympic Olympics.

"He was invited to coordinate us," says Larter. "He appeared with his shorts on and concluded the best exercise would be running around the boat."

Some players in the touring group was as willing as Larter. Fred Trueman, never reluctant of expressing his opinion, had only recently completed in excess of over a thousand deliveries in the domestic summer.

Personal Experiences

For Larter, the journey was not just a maiden England overseas trip, but a maiden time outside the Britain.

"We found the greatest reception came below deck," he says. "There were individuals relocating or moving for different motivations."

Playing Difficulties

The voyage was not a direct route to Perth. Remarkably, England tuned up for a visit of Australia by leaving the ship in Sri Lanka to compete in a match in Colombo.

"We stepped out on to the field and our leader said I would be starting the attack," explains Larter.

"I marked out a run-up, charged in, and fell completely on my front. A real collapse. I picked myself up, went back, came in a second time and performed the identical thing.

"I'd lost my land legs. They refused to move where I intended, because I'd been on the ship.

Tour Leadership

An additional adjustment for Larter was his interaction with England's tour administrator. In this days, the manager not only maintained the cricketers on the straight and narrow, but also acted as a ambassador.

For the 1962-63 tour, the unanticipated choice for the role was Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, the 16th Duke of Norfolk.

"You had to acknowledge the fact he was of aristocratic lineage," explains Larter. "You were not impolite to him.

"First thing in the morning, he was called as 'sir'. If you were introducing him to anyone, it was 'his grace'. After that, for the rest of the day, it was 'your honor'."

Series Structure

The current week, England will compete in their one and only preparation game before the forthcoming competition.

During that year, England competed in nine separate fixtures in five different separate areas across 6 weeks time before the opening Test began.

Player Memories

Larter enjoyed the Australian culture, surviving off his playing payment of substantial amount – valued at in excess of £23,000 today.

"I got offered about 3 jobs, only by talking to individuals," he says. "I nearly considered 'this is the place for me'. I nearly moved there.

"We had Christmas dinner on the coastline. That was extraordinary. How does an British person have his holiday meal on the beach?"

Mixed Result

But Larter's Ashes was bittersweet. Even with appearing to have attributes that would suit Australian environments, he was unable to participate a Test, positioned after proven new-ball combination Trueman and Statham in the hierarchy.

While England progressed ahead up by winning the second match Test in Melbourne, Australia hit back to tie the competition in the third match Test in Sydney.

It was "depressing" for Larter, though opportunity was nevertheless approaching.

Historical Significance

He now resides in Welsh countryside with his spouse Thelma. He has his ceremonial England cap on show and continues to has the group photo from the historical tour.

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