Barry Reed

Barry Lindsay Reed (17 September 1937 – 2 July 2024) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket as an opening batsman for Hampshire between 1958 and 1972. Most of his appearances came between 1965 and 1970, typically partnering Roy Marshall and Barry Richards as an opening batsman. He made over 120 first-class appearances, scoring nearly 5,000 runs. He briefly coached the Hampshire Second Eleven in 1976, following the death of Hampshire coach Geoff Keith.

Life and cricket career Early life and cricket Reed was born in Southsea in Portsmouth on 17 September 1937, but spent large parts of his childhood living with his grandparents on Hayling Island. He was educated at Winchester College, where played for the college eleven and was coached by former Test cricketer Ted Bowley.

Shortly after completing his education at Winchester, Reed made his debut in first-class cricket for Hampshire against Cambridge University at Portsmouth in 1958. A serious skiing injury and work interests then took Reed away from the first-class game. He would find work on a farm and at The Pub With No Name near Petersfield. His interest in cricket was rekindled when he watched the 1963 Gillette Cup final, at which point he was married and living in Brighton. Reed established himself in the Hampshire side as Marshall's opening partner in 1966, making 27 first-class appearances and passing a thousand runs in a season for the first time. He also made his debut in List A one-day cricket against minor county Lincolnshire in the 1st Round of the Gillette Cup, with him going onto play in the 2nd Round, Quarter-Final, and Semi-Final against Kent, Surrey, and Worcestershire respectively. At the end of the season, he toured Ireland with the Marylebone Cricket Club, playing one first-class match against the Irish cricket team.

The emergence of Richard Lewis in 1969 limited Reed's first-class appearances to 18 that year. Reed made his highest first-class score against Oxford University at the beginning of the 1970 season, scoring 138 runs. With the arrival of Gordon Greenidge, another opening batsman, Reed found his opportunities in the team further limited, making just 12 first-class appearances that season; however, he ended the season with his best season average, 38.85, having scored 816 runs. Reed would not play for Hampshire again until 1972, when he made a single one-day appearance in the John Player League against Kent. He developed a reputation as a good fielder at cover, Weeks prior to his death, his care home arranged a surprise visit to the Rose Bowl, where he met members of Hampshire's 2024 squad. Reed died on 2 July 2024 at his nursing home in Horndean, at the age of 86. His funeral took place at High Cross Church in Froxfield on 31 July.