Hampshire mourn passing of former skipper Dick Moore

Hampshire are today mourning the death of one of their former captains, Richard Moore, who died at his home in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on Tuesday last (March 5), aged 88.

Moore, known around the county by his shortened first name of Dick, led the county for two seasons in 1936 and 1937 before handing over the reigns to Cecil Paris owing to pressures of work but remained involved for the two final seasons ahead of the War.

However, it will be his efforts on July 28 on his home ground of Dean Park in Bournemouth that Moore will most be remembered for. His innings of 316 on the first day of the County Championship clash against Warwickshire still remains the highest score by any Hampshire batsman to this day.

Of the 509 the county scored, Moore remained at the crease to face the first and last balls of the day's play for his triple-century, overtaking R.M.Poore's previous best of 304 some 38 years previous. He was last man out at 6pm having hit 43 fours and three sixes in his knock.

Sadly, his innings was overshadowed by another triple century down the coast at Hove by England and Lancashire opener Eddie Paynter, eclipsing Moore's effort by six runs.

A Bournemouth-man - he was born in Charminster on November 14, 1913 - he was a most enterprising captain during his two year tenure, accepting every challenge even though some ended in defeat.

Ill health prevented Moore from attending the farewell gala to Northlands Road in September 2000 as the last remaining pre-war Hampshire skipper but the right-handed batsmen, who struck 6026 runs in an eight-year 137 match first-class career and took 25 wickets with his gentle medium-pace will be remembered fondly by all those involved in Hampshire cricket.