Bob Appleyard
A Yorkshire bowler of rare dual skill whose career was tragically curtailed by illness, yet whose brief brilliance left a lasting mark on English cricket.
1924–2015 (age 91)·English cricketer·Birthday: June 27·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Bob Appleyard emerged from the Bradford League as a late bloomer, making his Yorkshire debut at 26. His unique gift was a chameleonic bowling action, allowing him to deliver fast-medium swing and off-spin with barely a tell for the batsman. This made him a formidable and unpredictable force during the early 1950s, a key component in a potent English attack. His ascent was brutally interrupted. In 1951, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and a serious lung condition, spending over a year in sanatoriums. Doctors doubted he would play again, but his determination saw a miraculous return. He forced his way into the 1954-55 Ashes tour, playing a crucial role in England's victory. Yet, his body could not sustain the workload; his first-class career ended by 1958. His story is one of extraordinary talent shadowed by physical frailty, a 'what might have been' tale cemented by a stunningly low career bowling average.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Bob was born in 1924, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1924
#1 Movie
The Sea Hawk
Bob's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1924Born
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1929Started school
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1937Became a teenager
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1940Could drive
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1942Could vote
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1945Turned 21
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1954Turned 30
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1964Turned 40
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1974Turned 50
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1984Turned 60
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1994Turned 70
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 80
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2015Died at 91
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
Key Achievements
- Took 708 first-class wickets at an astonishing average of 15.48 runs apiece.
- Played a key role in England's 1954-55 Ashes series victory in Australia after a major illness.
- Mastered two distinct bowling styles—fast-medium swing and off-spin—with a nearly identical action.
- Won the Cricket Writers' Club Young Cricketer of the Year award in 1951.
Did You Know?
He worked as a wool sorter before his cricket career took off.
His recovery from tuberculosis and pleurisy was considered a medical marvel at the time.
He later became a successful businessman in the financial services industry.
Only nine bowlers in history with over 500 first-class wickets have a lower average than his 15.48.
“The ball must be your friend; you must understand it.”
