Syd Brown

Stocky in build and somewhat flat-footed, Syd Brown was an attacking opening batsman, an outstanding fielder away from the bat, and, when the occasion demanded, a more than adequate wicketkeeper. He made his debut in 1937 - his opening partner that day was EW Swanton, in one of his three county appearances - and was unfortunate to lose hmost of his twenties to the war years. He was equally unlucky to be part of a side which contained three world-class batsmen - Denis Compton, Bill Edrich and Jack Roberston - and so his achievements have been largely overshadowed. In 1947, Middlesex's golden summer when those three topped 3000 runs, Brown scored 2078 himself. His career best was 232 made against Somerset at Lord's in 1951. He passed 1000 runs in a season nine times and after retiring he became a publican.
Martin Williamson