Bomber Wells

Bryan Douglas "Bomber" Wells (27 July 1930 - 19 June 2008) was an English cricketer.

Wells was born and raised in Gloucester, and educated at local school Linden Road Secondary. He was a right-handed batsman and off-break bowler who played in 302 first-class matches between 1951 and 1965, for Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire. Wells took 998 wickets in first-class matches at an average of 24.26.

Playing career

Wells was known as 'Bomber' after the former British heavyweight boxer 'Bombardier' Billy Wells who struck the gong at the start of films made by the Rank studios.

Wells was unable to retain a place in his native County side through the emergence of David Allen who was a far superior batsman. Wells had taken 122 and 123 wickets in 1955 and 1956 repspectively but had a moderate season in 1957 and was not able to displace Allen or John Mortimore thereafter. Joining Nottinghamshire, the weakest county team at that time, Wells clamed 120 wickets in his first season, bowling over 1200 overs. He retired after the 1965 season. A poor bat, Wells scored 25% of his runs in sixes. His career average was 7.54.

A noted raconteur, he published a book of tales called Well, Well Wells in 1982.

troke

In 1998, Wells suffered a major stroke which left him wheelchair-bound. He died on 20 June 2008 [ [http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/County-legend-Bomber-dies/article-195003-detail/article.html County legend Bomber dies] ] .

References

ources

* "One More Run" by Stephen Chalke: "Talking with Bryan 'Bomber' Wells".

External links

* [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/33/33729/33729.html Cricket Archive]
* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/22844.html Cricinfo Profile]
* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/355532.html Cricinfo Obituary]
* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/229621.html Gloucestershire Cult Heroes]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2282370/Bryan-%27Bomber%27-Wells.html Obituary] "The Daily Telegraph"