Trevor Bailey

Trevor Edward Bailey was a former England test cricket player, born in 1923 in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex. Fondly known as the Boil or the Barnacle, this right handed batsman made his test debut for England in 1949 against New Zealand team.

Known as one of the hardest opponents that one may wish to meet, Trevor was an amazing fast medium bowler. He was also a remarkable fielder having resolute and impeccable defense, rescuing England team from many sticky situations that earned him the nickname, “Barnacle”.

In 1944, he played for England team at Lord’s and became a regular in the Essex team after a spell in national service. The team even won the Blues in 1947 and 1948 at Cambridge. In 1949, it was the debut match for Trevor and for a decade, when England team was the leading side in the world, he played a significant role in the team.

In 1953, England team regained the Ashes after 19 long years, their success due to the efforts by Trevor only. At Lord’s, he showed amazing batting skills for four and a half hours along with Willie Watson. That winter, he also took seven wickets for 34 against West Indies. For many years, he was with Essex, as a club secretary from 1955 to 1967 and captain from 1961 to 1966. On nine occasions, he made 1000 runs 18 times and took 100 wickets too.

After his retirement, Bailey wrote many books like those two little tormentors of mine and grounds of appeal. He also became a famous member of the test match special team on the BBC.

He was the Wisden Cricketer of the year 1950. Moreover, Bailey remains the only player since the Second World War to have scored over 2,000 runs in one season, taking 100 wickets, which he achieved in 1959. For eight times along with Fred Titmus, he achieved the doubles, the maximum record made by any post war player.