Barry Reed

Barry Reed, who has died aged 86, opened the batting for Hampshire and played 40 Cricketer Cup matches for Old Wykehamists between 1968 and 1988. He has the highest aggregate of any Old Wykehamist batsman with 1359 runs at any average of 36.7, and three centuries, and played in the only three Winchester teams to win the competition in 1970, 1974 and 1982. For Hampshire he was the neat accumulator opening the batting with such ebullient partners as Roy Marshall, Barry Richards and Gordon Greenidge. He played 215 first-class matches between 1958 and 1970, making 4962 runs. With his low centre of gravity, he was also a brilliant fielder in the covers.

Later he became a coach at Hampshire and mentor to young players. Nick Pocock, as a young player who had just joined the Hampshire staff, remembers Barry taking over as captain of the 2nd XI in 1975 and coming in at number eleven against Surrey at Guildford with the score on 250-9. Amid much chat from the Surrey fielders along the lines of ‘who is this ancient midget?’, opening bowler Bobby Lowe unleashed a bouncer which Barry effortlessly hooked over the trees and into the road.

Barry was always ready to help and encourage his own team and their opponents, and was a much loved and respected figure on cricket grounds up and down the land.

Barry Reed batting in the 1970 final. Colin Smith (Old Tonbridgians) is the wicket-keeper.