12 Facts About Dick Barlow

Richard Gorton Barlow was a cricketer who played for Lancashire and England.

Dick Barlow is best remembered for his batting partnership with A N Hornby, which was immortalised in nostalgic poetry by Francis Thompson.

Dick Barlow left school aged fourteen to work in a printing office as an apprentice compositor.

Dick Barlow played one match for Derbyshire in the 1875 season against a United North of England Eleven.

Dick Barlow was known for his defensive batting, which made it hard to dismiss him, and which earned him the nickname Stonewaller.

Dick Barlow holds the world first-class record for the lowest score by a batsman carrying his bat: against Nottinghamshire in 1882 he batted through the innings and made 5 not out when Lancashire were dismissed for 69.

Dick Barlow is immortalised in one of the best-known pieces of cricket poetry, called "At Lord's" by Francis Thompson.

Dick Barlow took part in the original Ashes match and is commemorated by the poem pasted on the side of The Ashes urn:.

Dick Barlow played seven times for England against Australia in England: in the match which gave rise to the Ashes at the Oval in 1882; and at Lord's, the Oval, and Old Trafford in 1884 and 1886.

Dick Barlow made no big score in these matches, but his partnership with Allan Steel was the turning point of the game at Lord's in 1884, and at Manchester, in 1886, his steadiness pulled England through when the Australian bowlers were in deadly form on a slightly crumbled wicket.

Dick Barlow played in every match of all three tours.

Dick Barlow died 31 July 1919 in Stanley Park, Blackpool, and is buried in Layton Cemetery.