London-born and educated at Whitgift School, Raman Subba Row was a solid left-hand opener who could also bat in the middle order. Initially very leg-sided, he adapted his style and finished his career as a punishing driver and stealer of singles. He was also a legspinner, used more as a shock weapon than a regular bowler, but he was good enough to take 5 for 21 in the 1951 Varsity match. He was in the Cambridge side for three years (1951-53) and also won a Blue at fives. He was also a fine slip fielder who could also more than hold his own in the deep. Although he played two seasons for Surrey, he blossomed after moving to Northamptonshire and won the first of his 13 Test caps in 1958, making a hundred in his first Test overseas and then scoring centuries in the first and last Ashes Tests in 1961. His retirement at the end of that summer (after which he was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year) at the age of 29 to concentrate on his public relations business was a great loss. He remained close to the game, and was the chairman of the Test & County Cricket Board and an ICC match referee.
Martin Williamson