Peter Rochford

Peter Rochford (27 August 1928 – 18 June 1992) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Gloucestershire between 1952 and 1957.[1] He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire and died at Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Peter Rochford
Personal information
Full namePeter Rochford
Born(1928-08-27)27 August 1928
Halifax, Yorkshire, England
Died18 June 1992(1992-06-18) (aged 63)
Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicketkeeper, umpire
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
195257Gloucestershire
First-class debut28 June 1952 Gloucestershire v Cambridge University
Last First-class15 August 1957 Gloucestershire v Hampshire
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 80
Runs scored 479
Batting average 5.26
100s/50s /
Top score 31*
Balls bowled
Wickets
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings 118/34
Source: CricketArchive, 5 August 2011

A right-handed tail-end batsman and wicketkeeper, Rochford played for Yorkshire's second eleven in the Minor Counties Championship in 1951 before joining Gloucestershire for 1952. Unable to displace regular wicketkeeper Andy Wilson, who was a far better batsman, he played just two first-class games in 1952 and one in 1953, and made only eight appearances in 1954, when Wilson was 44. In 1955, however, Rochford took over as the regular wicketkeeper, playing in 30 matches and making 60 dismissals, and being awarded his county cap.[2] His batting did not develop, however, and his highest score of the season was just 16 not out. There were a few signs of batting improvement in 1956 when, with 31 not out against Oxford University, Rochford made his highest score, and with Bryan Wells, Sam Cook and Francis McHugh in Gloucestershire's side, Rochford often batted far higher in the order than his batting talent warranted.[3] He again made 60 dismissals in the season.[2] After a few matches in 1957, he lost his place and with both Bobby Etheridge and Barrie Meyer available, he left the Gloucestershire staff at the end of the season. His obituary in Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 1993 indicates that there was friction between Rochford and the Gloucestershire committee.[4]

From 1975 to 1977, Rochford was on the umpires' list for first-class and List A matches in England and Wales. He also coached cricket and was a writer and journalist on cricket too.[4] He collapsed and died suddenly in a pub in Stroud, but was also suffering from cancer at the time.[4]

References

  1. "Peter Rochford". www.cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  2. "First-class batting and fielding in each season by Peter Rochford". www.cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  3. "Scorecard: Oxford University v Gloucestershire". www.cricketarchive.com. 28 April 1956. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  4. "Obituaries". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (1993 ed.). Wisden. p. 1287.
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