Donald Walker (cricketer)

Donald Walker
Personal information
Full name Donald Frederick Walker
Born 15 August 1912
Wandsworth Common, London, England
Died 18 June 1941 (aged 28)
Best, Netherlands
Batting style Left-handed
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
19371939 Hampshire
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 73
Runs scored 3,004
Batting average 26.12
100s/50s 4/15
Top score 147
Balls bowled 18
Wickets
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings 75/1
Source: Cricinfo, 5 October 2009

Donald Frederick Walker (15 August 1912 – 18 June 1941) was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire between 1937-1939. A left-handed batsman and occasional wicketkeeper Walker played 73 first class games for Hampshire. In 1937 during a County Championship match played against Sussex, at the United Services Recreation Ground Walker and Gerry Hill put on 235 for the 5th wicket, which remains to this day a Hampshire record. A patient batsman, Walker was able to manufacture an innings with great touch. His best season came in 1939, in what was to be his last season. Walker scored 1,117 runs, including three centuries; average 29.39.

Walker was also a strong Rugby player, he captained the Dorset County team and also captained a Royal Air Force side.

With the onset of the Second World War Walker joined the Royal Air Force. While on a bombing raid on 18 June 1941 Walker was shot down and killed 2 km north of Best in the Netherlands.

References