A profile of Arthur McIntyre by Dave Liverman

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Player:

AJW McIntyre

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A Surrey man through and through, born within sight of the Oval, Arthur McIntyre was the Surrey ‘keeper during perhaps their finest period, the great team that won 7 Championships in the 1950s. Originally a leg-break bowler (he was proud of his four first-class wickets) he was asked to fill in as ‘keeper in an emergency, and showed such aptitude for the task that he soon became Surrey's first choice. He made his debut for Surrey just before the Second World War, and had the misfortune of losing what might have been his best years in the early 1940s. He was twenty-eight when the war ended, and rapidly became established as a wicket-keeper of the highest class. He was especially effective standing up to Bedser, making some spectacular stumpings as well as missing little from the edge. His path to Test honours, however was blocked by Evans, and he played for England just three times.

In fact for his one Test against Australia he was drafted into the side as an extra bat, Evans retaining the gloves. In a bizarre Test played on an appalling wicket, he had little chance to shine, particularly when he was called for an impossible fourth run by Evans in the second innings. If he were ever to replace Evans it would have to be on the strength of his batting, and he was never able to impress, failing to reach double figures in his three Tests (he was also unlucky in that England lost all three by substantial margins). He was a more than useful bat for Surrey with seven first-class centuries, and made 1,000 runs in the English season three times. When he retired he had an impressive 795 victims as a ‘keeper, and had seen Surrey go from strength to strength. He retained his association with Surrey for a further twenty years as coach, finally retiring in 1978, and leaving an indelible impression on generations of young Surrey players.

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dave Liverman)