Walter Livsey

Wisden obituary
Walter Herbert Livsey, who died at Merton Park on September 12, 1978, aged 84, was one of the best county wicketkeepers of the 1920s. Born at Todmorden, Yorkshire, he was originally on the staff at The Oval, but with Strudwick in his prime there was no opening for him, and he was persuaded to move to Hampshire. While qualifying, he played in 1913 against Oxford and gave an immediate sign of his class, allowing only 3 byes in an innings of 554. In 1914 he succeeded Stone as regular 'keeper, and his stumping of Jack Hobbs off a sharply lifting ball from Kennedy wide of the leg stump created quite a sensation. Not being demobilised in time, he missed the season of 1919, but from 1920 continued as the county's regular wicketkeeper until a breakdown in health caused his retirement at the end of 1929. Despite his wicket keeping he is now perhaps better remembered for the part his batting played in one of the most sensational county matches in history. At Edgbaston in 1922, Warwickshire made 223 and then on a plumb wicket bowled Hampshire out for 15. In the follow-on, six wickets were down for 186, and when Livsey came in at number ten, Hampshire were only 66 ahead. He and George Brown put on 177, and then Boyes helped him to add 70 for the last wicket. Livsey's share was a faultless 110 not out and Hampshire won this incredible match by 155 runs. His only other century was 109 not out in eight-five minutes against Kent at Dover in 1928, but in 1921 against Worcestershire he helped Bowell to put on 192 in 110 minutes for the last wicket, his own contribution being 70 not out.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack