Lancashire's oldest living player: Bob Barber
Every New Year, Lancashire Cricket celebrates the Club's oldest living player. This year we celebrate Bob Barber:
Bob was born in Withington, Manchester and made his debut for Lancashire in 1954 when still only 18.
In 1960 he became captain of Lancashire getting off to a flying start with two victories over Yorkshire and finishing second. Bob was a superb all-round cricketer, an attacking left-handed batsman, right-arm leg-break bowler and an excellent close to the wicket fielder.
He captained Lancashire again in 1961 and then played one more season before joining Warwickshire. He played 155 matches in his nine seasons at Old Trafford scoring 6,760 runs ave. 28.28 taking 152 wickets at 31.36 each.
At Edgbaston, caution gave way to attack and he became one of the most attractive batsman in the country. He played 28 times for England with a top score of 185 at Sydney, one of the greatest innings in Ashes history.
An adventurous cricketer, highly intelligent and independent, he sacrificed cricket for a business career whilst still in his batting prime.
Our three oldest living Lancashire players are:
- Bob Barber born. 1935.
- Gerry Knox born 1937.
- Farokh Engineer. born 1938.