Punter Humphreys

Edward Humphreys (24 August 1881 – 6 November 1949), known as Punter Humphreys, was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket for Kent County Cricket Club between 1899 and 1920. He played nearly 400 first-class matches and coached cricket after his retirement.

Early life Humphreys was born at Ditton in Kent in 1881. He was the ninth son of Henry and Kate Humphreys, his father being the landlord of the Walnut Inn in Ditton. He was one of the first young players to be accepted into Kent's Tonbridge Nursery when it opened in 1897, initially as a slow left-arm bowler.

Cricket career Humphreys made his debut at age 17 for Kent in 1899, playing against Surrey at The Oval. He developed into a right-handed opening batsman who bowled well enough to take over 350 wickets in his career. He was a regular as a professional in the Kent teams which won four County Championships in the years before World War I at a time when the county had very strong batting. He made the other double century of his career the following season.

Humphreys was described as a highly skilled batsman and a "magnificent" fielder.

As well as playing for Kent, Humphreys played for and coached the Canterbury cricket team in New Zealand, making three first-class appearances for them in 1908–09.

Humphreys died in November 1949 at Maidstone in Kent aged 68.