Bob Caple

Robert Graham Caple (8 December 1939 — 29 December 2019) was an English first-class cricketer.

Caple was born at Chiswick in December 1939. He made his debut in first-class cricket for the Marylebone Cricket Club against Oxford University at Lord's in 1958. The following season, he made two first-class appearances for Middlesex against Oxford University and Cambridge University.[1] Caple left Middlesex to join Hampshire in 1961,[2] making his debut for Hampshire against Oxford University in that year. A gap of two years followed before his next appearance for Hampshire at Bournemouth in 1963, with Caple establishing himself in the Hampshire side that year. He made 65 first-class appearances for Hampshire until 1967,[1] scoring 1,531 runs at an average of 18.22;[3] he made five half centuries, with a highest score of 64 not out coming against Surrey in 1964.[2] Although Caple was also a useful off break bowler, he found himself playing for Hampshire at a time when they had strong spin bowling options, limiting his bowling for Hampshire.[2] Thus, he was limited to 28 wickets at a bowling average of 35.82;[4] he took one five wicket haul, with figures of 5 for 54 against Oxford University in 1966.[2]

Caple left Hampshire, alongside Geoff Keith, at the end of the 1967 season.[5] Following the conclusion of his playing career, he became a successful cricket coach. He coached at Bedford School for 23 years, before coaching in South Africa at St. Alban's College for sixteen years.[2] Caple died in South Africa in December 2019.[2]