Auction of Bill Alley cricket memorabilia

A wonderful collection of cricket memorabilia is be sold by Lawrences of Crewkerne. They originally belonged to Bill Alley, one of Somerset’s best known cricketers of the 20th century, who completed 400 first class matches for New South Wales, Somerset, and a Commonwealth X1.
 
Born in 1919 and originally from Australia, Bill began his career with New South Wales, where he was tipped by Don Bradman as a future Australian player. He eventually left to join the Lancashire leagues in England where he became the only player to score 1000 runs in five successive seasons in the league’s history.
 
He joined Somerset at the age of 38, and continued to the ripe old age of 49, and completed 350 first class games for the county. His best season was his testimonial season in 1961 when he compiled over 3000 runs.
 
Not content with a lengthy cricket career, he then became a first class umpire for 16 years and stood in 10 test matches. He so loved the West Country area, that he chose to remain there after retirement rather that returning to Australia, and remained there until his death in 2004.
 
Items include a signed Australian cricket bat, with Don Bradman’s signature amongst others. A huge number of personal and cricketing photographs from the 1930's onwards, including his tour of India, Pakistan and Ceylon with a Commonwealth side. Team photographs of Australian and Somerset sides, and a wonderful autograph album compiled in the 1950's with County signatures.
 
The items will be sold at Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne, in their October Collectors Sale.
 
For further details please contact Simon Jones on 01460 73041.