Bob Berry (cricketer)

Robert "Bob" Berry (29 January 1926 – 2 December 2006) was an English cricketer. He played in two Tests in 1950. He played county cricket for Lancashire from 1948 to 1954, for Worcestershire from 1955 to 1958, and for Derbyshire from 1959 to 1962. He was the first cricketer to be capped by three different counties.

Berry was born in Gorton, Manchester, Lancashire, the youngest of 10 children. He played League cricket in both Lancashire and Cheshire before making his debut for Lancashire in 1948. Within two years and having taken barely more than 50 first-class wickets, he was in the England Test side, having taken 5 wickets in a Test trial. He was picked for the 1st Test against the West Indies at his home ground of Old Trafford in 1950, on a pitch made for spinners – each side played three. Berry took 5-63 in the first innings and 4-53 in the second, to finish with match figures of 9-116.Eric Hollies took another 8 wickets for England (3-70 and 5-63), and West Indian debutant Alf Valentine took 11-204 (for West Indies 8-104 and 3-100). England won by 202 runs.

Berry retained his place for the 2nd Test at Lord's. On a much less helpful pitch to spinners, he was unable to match his Old Trafford success. He bowled economically, but took no wickets (0-45 in 19 overs, and 0-67 in 32 overs). By contrast, the West Indian spinners Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine continued their success from Manchester, taking 18 wickets between them, and the West Indies won the match, their first Test victory in England. Berry was dropped after this match.