Bob Barber

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = English
country = England
country abbrev = Eng
name = Bob Barber
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Left-handed batsman
bowling style = Leg-break and googly
tests = 28
test runs = 1,495
test bat avg = 35.59
test 100s/50s = 1/9
test top score = 185
test balls = 3,426
test wickets = 42
test bowl avg = 43.00
test 5s = 0
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 4/132
test catches/stumpings = 21/0
FCs = 386
FC runs = 17,631
FC bat avg = 29.43
FC 100s/50s = 17/90
FC top score = 185
FC balls = 31,798
FC wickets = 549
FC bowl avg = 29.46
FC 5s = 12
FC 10s = 0
FC best bowling = 7/35
FC catches/stumpings = 210/0
debut date = 9 June
debut year = 1960
last date = 11 June
last year = 1968
source = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1131/1131.html

Robert ("Bob") William Barber (born on 26 September 1935 in Withington, Manchester) is a former English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Cambridge University, Lancashire and Warwickshire from 1954 to 1969. He also played 28 Test matches for England. He was named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1967.An outstanding schoolboy cricketer, Barber initially struggle to gain a place whilst at Cambridge after making his debut in 1955. Scoring 1000 runs for the first time in 1959 Barber was made captain of a Lancashire team struggling to make the best of its talent. Hampered by an intrusive committee and hostile crowd [WISDEN 1960-2] , Barber was perceived as not making the best of his own abilities, particularly as a leg spinner. However in a team boasting Test leg spinner Tommy Greenough and useful allrounders in Grieves and Booth, both of whom were wrist spinners, it was hardly surprising that Barber did not bowl more. He was replaced by Joe Blackledge, an untried amateur, in 1962 who met with no greater success as the county fell apart and endured their worst season to date.
Joining Warwickshire, Bob Barber clearly enjoyed his cricket more [Playfair Cricket Monthly 1965] and began to play fairly regularly for England, mainly as an opening bat, until in 1969 he retired from county cricket although he appeared in the John Player League until 1971. A hard hitting batsman he is perhaps best remembered for an innings of 185 against Australia on the 1965-66 tour. Prominent in the early years of the Gillette Cup, he made little impression in the 40 over game.

References

* (1) Wisden. Editions for 1961, 62 and 63
* (2) Playfair Cricket Monthly 1965
* [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/8982.html Cricinfo page on Bob Barber]
* [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1131/1131.html CricketArchive on Bob Barber]