Philip Ian Bedford (11 February 1930 – 18 September 1966) was an English first-class cricketer who had a sensational start to his first-class career with Middlesex in 1947 as a 17-year-old lower-order batsman and leg break bowler. In his first match, against Essex, he was the fourth spin bowler used in the Essex first innings, but took four wickets for 81 runs.[1] He then took four for 65 in his second match against Nottinghamshire,[2] five for 53 in his third against Surrey[3] and five for 54 in his fourth and final match of 1947 against Lancashire.[4]

Ian Bedford
Personal information
Full name
Philip Ian Bedford
Born(1930-02-11)11 February 1930
Friern Barnet, Middlesex, England
Died18 September 1966(1966-09-18) (aged 36)
On the way to Wanstead Hospital, Wanstead, Essex, England
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight arm leg-spin
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1947–1962Middlesex
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 77
Runs scored 979
Batting average 16.31
100s/50s 0/3
Top score 75 not out
Balls bowled 7797
Wickets 128
Bowling average 32.87
5 wickets in innings 5
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 6/52
Catches/stumpings 45/0
Source: Cricinfo, 30 January 2016

He was less successful in subsequent seasons,[5] and returned to club cricket in 1951 while working for a construction company, until he succeeded John Warr as Middlesex captain in 1961 and 1962. He was a popular captain, who often declared boldly in an effort to achieve a result.[6]

Bedford played in 77 first-class matches between 1947 and 1962, taking 128 wickets at an average cost of 32.87, with a personal best of 6/52.

He died following a brain aneurysm, while batting for Finchley C.C. at Buckhurst Hill in 1966. He was 36. He left a wife and four young daughters.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Middlesex v Essex". CricketArchive. 19 July 1947. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  2. ^ "Nottinghamshire v Middlesex". CricketArchive. 26 July 1947. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  3. ^ "Middlesex v Surrey". CricketArchive. 23 August 1947. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  4. ^ "Middlesex v Lancashire". CricketArchive. 30 August 1947. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
  5. ^ "First-Class Bowling in Each Season by Ian Bedford". CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  6. ^ Stephen Chalke, The Way It Was: Glimpses of English Cricket's Past, Fairfield Books, Bath, 2010, pp. 96–97.
  7. ^ J. W. Levy, "Ian Bedford", The Cricketer, October 1966, pp. 19–20.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Middlesex County Cricket Captain
1961–1962
Succeeded by