10 Facts About Walter Brearley

Walter Brearley was an English first-class cricketer who played for Lancashire and England.

Walter Brearley played county cricket only from the age of 26, but his ability to make the ball rise sharply on the somewhat fiery Old Trafford wickets became noticed the following year, but after the wickets became less difficult he was dropped from the side.

Walter Brearley took four wickets in each innings, and in the final match of the series at The Oval took six out of the 14 wickets to fall, including five for 110 runs in the first innings.

However, having established himself as the best fast bowler in the world, at the end of the season Walter Brearley announced that business claims would prevent him playing again.

In 1907, Walter Brearley only played a handful of first-class games for the Gentlemen and a couple of privately raised teams, but was still thought good enough to only just miss out on a Test place at Lord's against South Africa.

Walter Brearley took 148 wickets in just seventeen matches and was named a Cricketer of the Year by Wisden.

However, so well-thought of was he that, playing when business allowed for Cheshire in the Minor Counties competition, Walter Brearley played one further Test but the wicket was too soft for him to get a foothold.

Walter Brearley made one late first-class appearance in 1921 at the age of 45 when he was picked for Archie MacLaren's amateur team that took on, and beat, Warwick Armstrong's previously invincible Australians.

Walter Brearley maintained faith in his ability long after his retirement.

When watching new fast bowlers in later years Walter Brearley was often heard to exclaim that he could still 'throw his hat faster'.