Walter McBride

Walter Nelson McBride (27 November 1904 — 30 January 1974) was an English first-class cricketer.

The son of Walter Sydney McBride, he was born at Croydon in November 1904. McBride was educated at Westminster School,[1] where he captained the school cricket team in 1924 and was singled out for praise by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack as "the best player in the eleven", and a bowler whose "pace is quite fast".[2] From Westminster, he matriculated to Christ Church, Oxford.[1] There, he made his debut in first-class cricket for Oxford University Cricket Club against Middlesex at Oxford in 1925. He would play for Oxford until 1928, making sixteen first-class appearances;[3] he would have likely made more appearances for Oxford, however his final year in 1928 was limited to two appearances by illness.[4] For his appearance in The University Match against Cambridge University in 1926, he gained a blue.[5] Playing in the Oxford side primarily as a right-arm medium pace bowler, he took 32 wickets at an average of 27.81;[6] he took two five wicket hauls, with best figures of 5 for 57 against the Free Foresters in 1926.[7] It was against the Free Foresters the following year that he made his only first-class half century, with a score of 51.[8] For Oxford, he scored 251 runs at a batting average of 11.40.[9] In addition to playing cricket for Oxford, McBride also played football for Oxford University A.F.C. as a goalkeeper. He played in Oxford's 6–2 victory against Cambridge University A.F.C. in 1927, gaining a football blue.[5]

While studying at Oxford, McBride represented Hampshire during the summer holidays, making his debut for Hampshire against Somerset at Taunton in the 1925 County Championship. He was a regular member of the Hampshire side when he was available to play, making 29 appearances for Hampshire while he was still studying at Oxford; following his graduation, he made just two further appearances in the 1929 County Championship.[3] In his 29 matches, he took 24 wickets at an average of 37.54 and took best figures of 3 for 36.[6] With the bat, he scored 405 runs at a batting average of 13.96 and a highest score of 35.[9] McBride later played minor counties cricket for Dorset, making two appearances in the 1938 Minor Counties Championship against Devon and Cornwall.[10] McBride died at Ealing in January 1974.[5] He was survived by his wife, Molly (1927–2006).[11]