The former Oxfordshire batsman John Carter died on 20 January 2021 aged 85 following a long illness. A very accomplished right-hand bat, he was also to play first-class cricket briefly for Leicestershire.
In 1953, while still a pupil at Magdalen College School, he made his Minor Counties debut as an 18-year-old against Berkshire in August that year. His talent was immediately on show as he scored 44* and 54* in his two innings. For the next four seasons John would be regular in the county side. In 1955 he scored his only Minor County championship century, 125 against Dorset at Weymouth, an innings that earned him his county cap.
He joined Leicestershire in 1958 and after a few Club and Ground and 2 nd XI matches, he made his first-class debut against Oxford University the following year. Six further matches followed for Leicestershire that season but with a top score of only 41, John returned to the 2 nd XI for this and the subsequent year before his release. During his time in the Leicester area, John also played club Hockey to a very high standard.
In 1961 John returned to play 5 further matches for Oxfordshire, his final appearance being in the Challenge Match against Somerset II at Taunton. In 40 matches for the county, John scored 1255 runs at an average of 20.24.
The photo at the top of the article sees a young John Carter in front centre, ready to open the batting for Oxfordshire in 1955.
In the later period 1967-71 John again played several more matches for Leicestershire 2 nd XI in the County Second XI Championship.
John’s club career started at Cowley St John where his father Les, a former Oxfordshire player and selector, was a long-time member. He also played on occasions for Oxford City. In later years he played for both Gerrards Cross and Beaconsfield for a number of seasons. However local cricketers will probably remember John from his time playing for the SOA. A former SOA colleague John Smith has sent the following note:
“John played SOA cricket for approximately 25 years and was always a regular and popular tourist to the West Country. Batting in the top order John would more often than not be among the leading run scorers in the matches he played. His only century for the club being scored in what was supposed to be his final match for the club at Westleigh in 1990. The following season in his year as Club President in 1991 he played at short notice in his Presidents match against North Oxford at St. Edwards.
Prior to becoming the Club President in 1991 John was Treasurer of the SOA from 1978 to 1990. When I was the Club Secretary between 1985 and 1989 I have very happy memories of our annual liquid lunch in January when John and I would meet to scrutinise the club membership list. Another memory I have of John is when he was the match manager of the SOA fixture against the Sussex Tankards in the 1980s. The previous day playing for Gerrards Cross he received a nasty blow to the face when he mistimed a hook shot. He duly arrived at Bloxham with serious facial bruising but was still determined to play. Whilst fielding in the deep he misjudged a high catch which somehow managed to hit him in the face. His watching wife at the time was not very impressed! A story that John recited to me on many occasions.
Sadly in recent years, due to his failing health, he was unable to attend SOA matches or attend the annual dinner.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Sally and the many friends who he met through his tremendous love of cricket.”
Written by Julian Lawton Smith