John Harvey (cricketer)

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John Harvey (September 27, 1939 — August 20, 2003) was an English cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm offbreak bowler.

Born in Barnstaple, Harvey started his first-class career playing one game with Marylebone Cricket Club in 1961. He was picked up by Derbyshire in 1963 and, after three matches, made his debut in that year's County Championship against Somerset. He slowly progressed with the bat, and finished the season with a century under his belt. Though his average fluctuated over following seasons, he continued to perform well throughout the inconsistent times of the mid-1960s, and, a season after Derbyshire's impressive showing of 1967, scored his best season average of in excess of 31.

With one season out of the game during his eleven-year spell, Harvey saw the team through some tough times, heading the opening order on his peak form, but happy to perform in the middle order when his form was suffering. The late 1960s saw an upturn in Derbyshire's form, which collapsed in the early-70s, as they finished bottom of the league in 1971 and 1972.

Harvey left the Derbyshire first team in 1972, and in the later stages of his career he played for Berkshire. Joining them in 1978, he represented them until the age of 46, in the Minor Counties Championship. Though he had slipped down the order in his advanced age, from his County Cricketing position of a consistent opener, he continued to turn in good performances for the Minor League side.

Harvey died in Bradfield in 2003. In 1962 he umpired two matches for Marylebone Cricket Club.

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