Martin Vernon (4 July 1951 – 2024) was an English cricketer. He played for Middlesex between 1974 and 1976 and for Gloucestershire in 1977.[1]

Martin Vernon
Personal information
Full name
Martin Jeffery Vernon
Born(1951-07-04)4 July 1951
Marylebone, London, England
Died2024 (aged 73)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast-medium
RoleBowler
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1974–1976Middlesex
1977Gloucestershire
Career statistics
Competition FC List A
Matches 22 31
Runs scored 146 75
Batting average 6.63 7.50
100s/50s 0/0 0/0
Top score 27 15*
Balls bowled 1847 1399
Wickets 31 26
Bowling average 38.64 40.15
5 wickets in innings 2 0
10 wickets in match 1 n/a
Best bowling 6/58 3/13
Catches/stumpings 5/0 3/0
Source: Cricinfo, 30 July 2013

Vernon played irregularly for Middlesex Second XI from 1970,[2] and made his first-team debut in 1974 as an opening bowler. In July 1974, in his third County Championship match, he took 6 for 58 and 5 for 54 against Somerset, twice dismissing Viv Richards leg-before, and dismissing Brian Close for a pair, the first in Close's long career. Vernon took four wickets in seven balls in the second innings.[3][4] With his pace he was regarded as a possible long-term replacement for John Price in the Middlesex team,[5] but he was unable to maintain his form, and his appearances in first-class cricket were irregular. His best List A cricket figures came in his first match, when he took 3 for 13 off eight overs against Yorkshire in June 1974.[6] He toured Bangladesh with MCC in 1976-77. An ankle injury forced him to retire from professional cricket after the 1977 season.[7]

Vernon had a career in newspaper and magazine advertising, including two positions as a managing director.[7]

Vernon died in 2024 at the age of 73.[8]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Martin Vernon". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Second Eleven Championship Matches played by Martin Vernon". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Somerset v Middlesex 1974". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  4. ^ Wisden 1975, p. 544.
  5. ^ Wisden 1975, p. 488.
  6. ^ "Yorkshire v Middlesex 1974". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Former player Martin Vernon passes away aged 73". Middlesex CCC. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Martin Vernon RIP - 1951 – 2024". Gloucestershire CCC. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
edit