The outbreak of the Second World War came towards the closing stages of the 1939 cricket season. 'Hitler permitted us almost to complete an exceptionally interesting season, ' Sir Home Gordon, wrote in the Cricketer magazine, 'When shall we see the stumps pitched again?' As the West Indies touring team canceled their last five matches and sailed home before the U-boat threat developed, the treasures at Lord's, including the Ashes, were sent...