Humphrey Gilbert

Humphrey Adam Gilbert (2 June 1886 – 19 July 1960) was an Indian-born English first-class cricketer who played in 118 matches. All of these were in England, with the majority for Worcestershire and Oxford University. Very much a specialist bowler, his Wisden obituary commented that "His qualities as a batsman [could] be gauged from the fact that in his five innings against Cambridge he scored one run." He was nicknamed Barmy Gilbert. A little later in the summer, he took what was to remain a career-best innings haul of 8–48 against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at The University Parks. Gilbert maintained his place in the Oxford side throughout that and the following two seasons, winning his Blue in each year and topping Oxford's bowling averages in 1908 and 1909.

While still at Oxford, he also made the first of his four appearances in the Gentlemen v Players match, and in this game – at The Oval in July 1908 – he took 3–43 and 6–112 to help the Gentlemen to a six-wicket victory. Also, in May 1909, he claimed innings figures of 8–71 for his university against the touring Australians, and as a result was put on standby for the first Test at Edgbaston, although he was not in the end called upon to play.

In 1921, Gilbert made his county cricket debut with Worcestershire, and played a considerable number of games for the county in that and the following summer. Apart from one game for MCC against Oxford in 1921, and one for Free Foresters against Cambridge in 1922, all his matches during this period were for Worcestershire. with a best bowling performance of 7–60 for Worcestershire against Nottinghamshire at Worcester in August 1921. Gilbert captained the county against Derbyshire at the same venue a year later.

He played a few further games for Worcestershire in 1923 and turned out just once in 1924, after which he was entirely absent from first-class cricket for four years.

Gilbert died in Bishopstone, Herefordshire at the age of 74.