- Walter Robins
Infobox Historic Cricketer
nationality = English
country = England
country abbrev = Eng
name = Walter Robins
picture = Cricket_no_pic.png
bowling style = Leg break
tests = 19
test runs = 612
test bat avg = 26.60
test 100s/50s = 1/4
test top score = 108
test balls = 3318
test wickets = 64
test bowl avg = 27.46
test 5s = 1
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 6/32
test catches/stumpings = 12/0
FCs = 379
FC runs = 13884
FC bat avg = 26.39
FC 100s/50s = 11/73
FC top score = 140
FC balls = 43215
FC wickets = 969
FC bowl avg = 23.30
FC 5s = 54
FC 10s = 4
FC best bowling = 8/69
FC catches/stumpings = 217/0
debut date = 29 June
debut year = 1929
last date = 17 August
last year = 1937
source = http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/ENG/R/ROBINS_RWV_01000512/Robert Walter Vivian Robins (
3 June 1906 -12 December 1968 ) was a dynamic Englishcricketer and footballer.Walter Robins was born in
Stafford and was educated atHighgate School andCambridge University . He played football for Nottingham Forest and first-class cricket for Middlesex, Cambridge University and England. He was a useful right-handed batsman and a capable leg-break bowler, who played in 258 first-class matches for the county, taking 669 wickets at an average of 22.28, with a personal best of 8/69. He was an adventurous captain who was prepared to take risks, in order to gain a positive result. He captainedMiddlesex CCC during three spells (1935-1938, 1946-1947 and 1950) and led them to theCounty Championship in 1947.Robins was named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1930.
He took 217 first class catches, and 12 in test matches, yet he infamously dropped
Don Bradman during the third test of England's 1936/37 Ashes tour. CaptainGubby Allen placed Robins at square leg with instructions to run to long leg as soon as the fast bowler sent down a bouncer. Bradman duly hooked and Robins, running before the ball was struck, got under the catch only to fumble and drop it. He apologised profusely only for Allen to reply 'Don't give it a thought Walter, you've probably cost us the Ashes, but don't give it a thought'. Bradman went on to make 270, Australia won the match by 365 runs and snatched the series 3 - 2.Robins captained England for the three Test series at home to New Zealand in 1937, winning it 1-0. He later became Chairman of the England Test Selectors.
He died in
Marylebone , following a long illness, aged 62.External references
* [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/ENG/R/ROBINS_RWV_01000512/ Cricinfo page on Walter Robins]
* [http://www.cricketarchive.com Cricket Archive]Walter Robins has 4 children, Penelope Robins(Came), Charles Robins, Richard Robins and Unity Robins(MacLean)
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