Mervyn Derek Burden was an English first-class cricketer.
11 Facts About Mervyn Burden
1.
2.
Mervyn Burden reportedly turned up to his trial with no pads or bat.
3.
Mervyn Burden's misfortune continued on the second day of his trial, when he was asked to assist groundsman Ernie Knights, having been struck on the ankle by a shot from Johnny Arnold, only to kick a bucket of whiting all over the square.
4.
Mervyn Burden made his debut for Hampshire in first-class cricket against Worcestershire at Worcester in the 1953 County Championship, with him making a second appearance that season against Surrey.
5.
Mervyn Burden established himself in the Hampshire side following a match against Leicestershire, in which he took figures of 7 for 48.
6.
Mervyn Burden played regularly for Hampshire throughout the 1950s in partnership with fellow spinner Peter Sainsbury, taking over fifty wickets in a season in 1955,1957, and 1958.
7.
Mervyn Burden received his county cap in 1955, the same season in which he took 70 wickets at an average of 21.75.
8.
Mervyn Burden returned to make seventeen appearances in 1962, taking 65 wickets, albeit at a higher average of 30.38.
9.
In 174 first-class matches, Mervyn Burden took 481 wickets at an average of 26.11; he took 23 five wicket hauls and took ten-wickets in a match on four occasions.
10.
Mervyn Burden was popular among both players and spectators and was included in a 2005 list of Hampshire cricket cult figures.
11.
Mervyn Burden died suddenly at Whitchurch on 9 November 1987, aged 57.