Fred Rumsey

Fred Rumsey Biography

A left-arm fast bowler who played for three different counties during his career, Rumsey did not have a long Test career. He did not do too badly in the Tests that he played, taking 17 wickets from 5 Tests at 27.11 with a best of 4 for 25 against New Zealand at Lord’s. However, with a clutch of talented fast bowlers around England in that era, Rumsey did not get an extended run.

However, he remains an important name in the history of cricket. In 1967 he founded the Cricketers’ Association (later Professional Cricketers’ Association) and hence had a major role to play in the development of player rights. Rumsey was appointed Honorary Life Founder-Member and Vice-President by the association, with John Arlott as its first President.

Rumsey played for Worcestershire from 1960 to 1962, for Somerset from 1963 to 1968 and for Derbyshire from 1969 to 1973. However, he made just one First-Class appearance for Derbyshire in the five seasons though he remained a regular in the List A games.

In First-Class cricket his 580 wickets came at a remarkable 20. His List A numbers (130 wickets at 17, economy rate 2.73) were even better. Had he played a decade or so later he might have become a success in limited-overs cricket.

After his retirement, Rumsey was involved with Lord’s Taverners.

Arunabha Sengupta