William Victor Fox

Fox made his first-class debut for Worcestershire in May 1923, making 5 and 7 in an innings defeat against Hampshire at Southampton.[1] However, thereafter he contributed some useful innings throughout the season and ended not far short of a thousand runs, including his maiden century, an unbeaten 178 against Northamptonshire.[2] His average that summer was a useful 32.70, but his career came to an enforced (though temporary) end at the end of the season when Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) ruled that his qualification was invalid.[3]

Fox's cricketing career resumed in 1926, and from then until 1930 he was a regular in the Worcestershire team. In a usually weak batting side, Fox performed well, making his thousand runs in 1926, 1928 and 1929, and missing out by a single run in 1927.[4] His best season was 1929; in this year he made 1,457 first-class runs at an average of 31, with two hundreds and seven fifties. It was in 1929 also that Fox hit his career-best innings: 198 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.[5]

His form fell away in 1930, and after hitting 134 against Lancashire at the start of July[6] Fox made only one further half-century in 15 innings that year.[7] He played not at all in 1931, and although he appeared four times in 1932 he did nothing of any note in those games.

He was a strictly occasional bowler, sending down fewer than 35 overs in his career and claiming just two first-class wickets. His victims were both substantial cricketers: Yorkshire's George Macaulay in 1926[8] and Leicestershire's Alan Shipman in 1929.[9]

Fox died at the early age of 51 following an operation, leaving Mrs Frances Vera Fox and son Kenneth Fox.[3]

Fox played football for Middlesbrough, Wolves and Newport County.[3]

• William Fox from CricketArchive
• William Victor Fox at ESPNcricinfo