Born On This Day: 10th October

Two interesting Hampshire-born cricketers, separated by more than a century, were born on this day.

The first, all-rounder Victor Barton, was born in Netley in1867. He was known as ‘Bombardier Barton’ when he played first as a professional soldier for the Royal Artillery, and then for Kent. In the winter of 1891/2 he toured South Africa with WW Read’s XI and while few of their matches were regarded as first-class, they played a three-day game v South Africa in March 1892 which was subsequently designated as a Test Match – Barton’s only appearance for England.

As a consequence, he is often described as Hampshire first Test Match player, but having paid for his release from Kent he returned to his native county, and did not make his debut until after the tour, in June 1892.

For the first three seasons, Hampshire played only second-class cricket, but Barton was in Hampshire’s side for their first Championship match at Taunton in 1895, and from then until 1902 he appeared in 143 first-class matches, scoring over 6,000 runs at 25.01 with six centuries and a best of 205 v Sussex at Hove in 1900. Bowling medium pace, he took 130 wickets for the county, with a best of 6-28 (& 3-41) v Surrey at the Oval in May 1901.

Barton’s eyesight deteriorated and after a benefit in 1902, he retired to run a bat-making business, and also a pub in his home of Netley. Sadly, he died age just 38, and a fund was established to help his family. Sir Russell Bencraft described him as the most “unassuming, gentlemanly cricketer”, in difficult years, he was a significant all-rounder.

Wicketkeeper Michael Bates, born on this day in 1990 was educated at Lord Wandsworth College, played for Hampshire’s junior sides and was awarded a development contract in 2010 at which time he played also for the England Under-19 side.

He made his first-class debut for Hampshire in 2010, and in his first two seasons he played occasionally, before replacing Nic Pothas, and enjoying a fine season in 2012, not least as a member of the team that did the ‘white ball’ double. On the last day of that season at Lord’s, the scores were level with one ball to bowl and Bates, standing up to Kabir Ali, gathered the ball safely as Carter missed it, and Hampshire won the CB40.

That was the key highlight for a very popular and fondly remembered keeper who is still to be seen with Hampshire, working with the current ‘keepers’ on their skills. He played in 130 matches in all formats for Hampshire. With his friend Tom Huelin he has written a most interesting book about his cricketing life: Keeping Up: the Story of a Specialist Wicketkeeper.

Also born on this day: Edward Hemsted (born 1846), Percy Alec Mackenzie (1918) and Robert Manser (1880).