Dickie Burrough

Dickie Burrough played most of his cricket off the front foot. He was happiest of all when being asked to go for his shots but the various Somerset captains he played under didn't usually bother him too much with instructions. In 171 matches for the county, stretching from 1927 to 1947, he nobly filled most positions in the order - from opener to late middle. Born at Wedmore, Herbert Dickinson Burrough came to Bath to join 'Bunty' Longrigg's family law firm. Here in the city where he was so popular, he hit 90 and 133 against Kent in 1937. There were days when, with his powerful and positive approach to batting, he could dominate an innings, as in his perfunctory 135 at Kettering in 1932. But he was also a busy man, professionally, and his cricket had to be rationed. Burrough's first match for Somerset was as an 18-year-old against Glamorgan. His enthusiasm for the game never ceased to be infectious. It was evident in the way he chased around the outfield and the difficult catches he held. He was an amateur liked by the pros: a sociable man with a wide spectrum of friends. This was still true when he moved to Cornwall and where he died, in Padstow, aged 85 on April 9. He was educated at Brean House School, Weston-super-Mare, and then King's, Bruton. At St Catherine's College, Cambridge he failed to land a Blue either for cricket or hockey. Indeed he was a talented enough hockey player to represent England three times. He was also president of Bath Hockey Club for three years in the 1960s. But cricket was his abiding passion. His father had played for Somerset, his cousin for Gloucestershire. Dickie captained Bath CC from 1955-57 and was recalled in 1960. There were memorable innings at North Parade, often spiced with a touch of adventure. If he had been available more regularly, he would doubtless have stroked more than four hundreds for Somerset. He leaves two children, Sally and Stephen.
Wisden Cricket Monthly