Walter Humphreys, Sr.

Walter Alexander Humphreys (28 October 1849 – 22 March 1924) was an English professional first-class cricketer. Considered one of the last and greatest lob bowlers, he played first-class cricket from 1871 to 1900, predominantly for Sussex. Beginning his career as a batsman, Humphreys reinvented himself as a lob bowler by 1880, which would bring him to public prominence. In first-class cricket, he took 718 wickets and was considered a capable enough batsman to be called an all-rounder. Humphreys is considered one of the greatest bowlers to have never played Test cricket, despite having been selected as a member of the England team which toured Australia in 1894–95.

Cricket career Sussex Early years Humphreys was born at Southsea in Portsmouth in October 1849, but moved to Sussex three weeks after his birth. Having shown good form for the Queen's Park Club, he was offered a trial by Sussex. Shortly thereafter, he made his debut in first-class cricket for Sussex against Kent at Hove in 1871, with him making four further appearances in his first season. He played irregularly for Sussex during the 1870s, and in his initial years he was utilised as a batsman and a fielder, who could keep wicket in an emergency. Humphreys lost his place in the Sussex team during the 1878 season, and did not play for Sussex in 1879, having seemingly dropped out of the team on a permanent basis.

Reinvention as a lob bowler By the 1880 season, Humphreys had reinvented himself as a lob bowler. In 1884, he repeated his 1880 hat-trick feat against the touring Australians, this time dismissing Percy McDonnell, George Giffen and Tup Scott. The following season, Humphreys and Arthur Hide played an important role in bowling Sussex to what remains, as of 2024, their only victory against the Australians, with Humphreys taking nine wickets in the match. The early completion of the match was a disappointment for his benefit, as the proceeds from the match were earmarked for Humphreys. Lord Sheffield contributed £100 toward the benefit. After taking 70 wickets in 1891 and 74 in 1892, His 122 wickets in the County Championship placed him second on the list of leading wicket-takers that season, behind J. T. Hearne with 137. His achievements in 1893 were all the more remarkable, given the short boundary on the pavilion side of the County Ground that allowed for easy scoring. It was hoped that Humphreys bowling would suit the pitches at the Sydney and Melbourne Cricket Ground's, which had traditionally not suited fast bowling. He struggled on the tour, posing little threat to batsmen, and thus did not feature in any of the Test matches;

When he returned home, Humphreys was not the same bowler. In 1895, he took 26 wickets at an average of 26.92, He was subsequently nominated to stand as an umpire in first-class matches in 1896. His brief foray into umpiring was not without controversy. Standing in a match between Surrey and Warwickshire, he no-balled Surrey's Bill Lockwood for having "gone through the form of bowling without delivering the ball", a move which was widely condemned. While playing for Sussex, he was recorded by Arthur Haygarth in Scores and Biographies as a shoemaker by trade. Alongside his first-class cricket, Humphreys was engaged as the professional for the Brighton Brunswick club, topping their batting and bowling averages, and played minor matches for Lord Sheffield's team at Sheffield Park, alongside his first-class appearances for his team. it was apparent that his best days were behind him, with Humphreys retiring from first-class cricket. With his bowling, he took 682 wickets for Sussex at an average of 20.72; he claimed a total of 49 five wicket hauls and took ten-wickets in a match on eight occasions.

Humphreys bowling style was described as being "vigorous", with him bowling off of a long run-up which meant his follow-through took him well down the wicket. He was known to cleverly disguise his deliveries. Neville Cardus wrote following his death: "No doubt the man in the street will smile at the mere mention of lobs. ‘Grubs’, he calls them derisively... But surely the success of Humphreys’ modest art, at a period great in batsmanship, cannot be dismissed with a smile of indulgence."

Death After retiring, Humphreys disappeared from public life. He was buried at the Brighton and Preston Cemetery, with the inscription on his tombstone reading: "The stumps are drawn, the final over bowled". His son, Walter junior, and brother George, were both first-class cricketers.