Brian Belle

Brian Belle (7 April 1914 – 27 February 2007) was an English cricketer. He played first-class cricket for Essex between 1935 and 1937.[1] At the time of his death he was the oldest surviving Essex player.[2]

Brian Belle
Personal information
Full name
Brian Henry Belle
Born(1914-04-07)7 April 1914
Woodford Green, Essex, England
Died27 February 2007(2007-02-27) (aged 92)
Campsea Ashe, Suffolk, England
BattingRight-handed
RoleBatsman
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1935–1937Essex
1935–1936Oxford University Cricket Club
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 43
Runs scored 1235
Batting average 18.43
100s/50s 0/5
Top score 70
Balls bowled 42
Wickets 1
Bowling average 33.00
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 1/10
Catches/stumpings 30/–
Source: Cricinfo, 24 December 2018

Career

While studying at Keble College, Oxford, Belle appeared in two matches for Oxford University in 1935, then played a full season for them in 1936, winning his Blue. He usually batted in the middle order. Between 1935 and 1937 he also played regularly for Essex as an amateur. His highest first-class score was 70 for Oxford against Surrey in 1936, the highest score on either side, which enabled Oxford to gain a first-innings lead.[3]

His first-class cricket career ended when he became a master at Orwell Park School near Ipswich in Suffolk. He began playing Minor County cricket for Suffolk in 1939.[2] After serving in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War, he continued to play for Suffolk, helping them to their first title in 1946 and captaining them between 1949 and 1953. He played 92 matches for Suffolk, scoring 4459 runs at an average of 35.11, with a top score of 175 not out. He was subsequently county chairman, holding office when Suffolk won the championship in 1977 and 1979.[4] He continued teaching at Orwell Park, serving as headmaster from 1969 until his retirement ten years later.[4]

He also won a Blue at football in 1935-36 and played for the Corinthians as a full-back.[2] He was also a talented golfer. He and his wife Sylvia (née Wilkinson) won the Suffolk Mixed Foursomes in 1966, and he served as president of the Suffolk Golf Union.[4]

References
  1. "Brian Belle". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  2. "Brian Belle dies aged 92". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  3. "Surrey v Oxford University 1936". Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  4. Garnett, Tony. "Talented sportsman Brian dies, aged 92". Ipswich Star. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
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