Bill Brockwell

Bill Brockwell Biography

A member of the strong Surrey side of the 1890s, Brockwell was known as a stylish batsman who could be brilliant on his day.

In 1894 he headed the batting tables with an aggregate of 1,491 runs at 38.90, and was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of 1895. He was also a rather decent fast-medium bowler, who became more effective with age and captured 105 wickets in the 1899 season.

Having represented England once at Old Trafford against Jack Blackham’s men in 1893, Brockwell was rewarded with a place among Drewey Stoddart’s men to Australia in 1894-95. He played all 5 Tests of that magnificent series, although his own performances were not much to write about.

He had another great season with the bat in 1898, when along with Tom Hayward and Bobby Abel he was a pillar of the Surrey batting line-up. And when he enjoyed that phenomenal year with the ball in 1899, he was called to play another Test at Old Trafford. His deeds at the highest level, though, remained modest.

Brockwell ended with 13,228 runs and 544 wickets in First-Class cricket. And three decades later he died in abject poverty at the age of 69.

Arunabha Sengupta