A profile of Joe Humphries by Dave Liverman

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Player:

J Humphries

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A fine wicket-keeper, who earned his chance at Test level after a series of good performances for his native Derbyshire, Joe Humphries made his debut for Derbyshire in 1899, but had to wait to 1902 to earn a regular place - William Storer being the incumbent. He was selected to tour Australia in 1907/08, and was one of the successes of a difficult tour. Left out of the first Test – R.A.Young was preferred because of supposedly superior batting ability - he kept magnificently in the next three, standing up to Barnes, and taking seven catches. In his first Test he came to the wicket with England needing 73 and only two wickets remaining. He helped S.F.Barnes put on 34 for the ninth wicket, and England got home by one wicket. He was left out of the final Test and was unfortunate not to earn another opportunity to represent his country, but played for Derbyshire until the First World War, with 545 catches, 103 stumpings and 5,436 first-class runs.

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dave Liverman)