Relf Robert Image 2 Sussex 1908

Description

Sandhurst, Berkshire born right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler Robert Relf played as a youth for Berkshire before qualifying for Sussex, being one of three brothers to play for the County. He later returned to Berkshire, with whom he continued in minor counties cricket until the age of 63. Capable of stern defence, he was a highly consistent run getter who hit well all round the wicket, with the drive probably his best stroke.

His highest innings for the County was 272 not out, when he carried his bat through an innings of 433 against Worcestershire at Eastbourne in 1909, and he exceeded 200 on two other occasions. He hit more than 1,000 runs in a season six times from 1908 to 1913, his best year being 1912 when in all matches he reached an aggregate of 1,804 runs at 32.21. He played for The Players against The Gentlemen at Folkestone in 1925, scoring 73 and also represented P.W. Sherwell’s XI, having played his last match in first class cricket in 1924.

In 303 first class matches, Relf scored 14,522 runs at an average of 28.41, with 24 centuries and 71 half centuries, and with his bowling took 317 wickets at 27.49 apiece, with a best return of 8-79, taking ten wickets in a match twice and recording 12 five wicket hauls. He also took 303 catches in first class play.

Of his two brothers, Ernest Relf played 12 matches for Sussex in the final three seasons before the First World War, and Albert Relf played for Sussex between 1900 and 1921, also playing 13 Test matches for England.

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