The former Oxfordshire county cricketer John Martin died on 6 July this year aged 82. A fast medium bowler, he took 45 wickets in 17 matches for the county between 1959 and 1961 at an average of 23.98. His best figures were 6-19 in the victory over Dorset at the Oxford Sports Club ground in 1961. Educated at Magdalen College School he went on to Oxford University where he won cricket blues in 1962, 1963, and 1965, captaining the side in his final year. In 38 first class matches for the University he took 90 wickets at an average of 28.57, with a career best of 7-26 against Derbyshire in 1964. Over the winter of 1965-66 John went on the MCC tour to South America.

In 1961 Oxfordshire played Somerset 2nd XI in the Minor Counties Challenge match. Taking 4-52 in Somerset’s first innings, he impressed the opposition enough to be invited to play for them. Although he only made 2 first class appearances for Somerset he played many matches for their 2nd XI over the next few seasons, turning out when the University term had finished. 

John was also a very talented hockey player, representing Oxfordshire and Middlesex, and winning 30 caps for Wales. He had a long career as a schoolmaster, joining the staff of Wellington College in 1966 and retiring as Deputy Head in 2002. His colleague Chis Potter summarised John’s teaching career ‘In every area, John was able to bring a calming, common sense, dry, pungent wit, good humour, a wealth of experience and a balanced professionalism’.

The former Oxfordshire captain Mike Nurton recalls ‘John Martin (or JD as he was affectionately known) was another talented sportsman from the Magdalen College conveyor belt of the early 1960s.  John represented Oxfordshire Colts and played in the county side in 1961 when Oxfordshire challenged Somerset 2nd XI for the Minor Counties Championship.

My introduction to John was in school matches and playing for Berkshire Bantams against Oxfordshire Colts and when he played for Cowley St John against Oxford City CC. He gave me some valuable advice when I entered the teaching profession and was always a genial host after school matches against Wellington College where he retired as Senior Master. An interesting statistic is that his highest score in first class cricket was 14, which is surprising for such a talented Hockey player!’

Another former Oxfordshire contemporary, Robin Winstone, remembers John as a self-made player who was a great listener, picking the brains of those two legendary bowlers Joe Banton and David Laitt. He also recalled John playing at Lord’s for the English Schools Cricket Association against the Public Schools.