Hopper Read 1910-2000

Former England fast bowler "Hopper" Read died last Wednesday at the age of 89.

Rated the fastest bowler in England at one time, Holcombe Douglas Read played one Test match for England, the final Test of the series against South Africa at The Oval in 1935, where he took 4/136 and 2/64. His two second innings victims were Bruce Mitchell and Dudley Nourse, both clean bowled.

After making his first-class debut for Surrey in 1933, Read moved to his native Essex the following year, where he impressed with his pace and earned his England honours.

He toured Australia and New Zealand with an MCC non-Test squad in 1935-36, but before the start of the next county season, he turned his back on the game to embark on a career as a chartered accountant.

In 54 first-class matches he took 219 wickets at 22.93.