Walter Gawen King was a British first-class cricketer who played for Oxford University and Northamptonshire during the 1920s and 1930s.
Definition Walter Gawen King was a right-handed batsman who participated in 71 first-class cricket matches between 1922 and 1933. He is primarily known for his time with Northamptonshire, where he also served as captain.
Overview Born on March 2, 1903, in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, Walter King began his first-class cricket career while attending Oxford University. He made his debut in 1922 and continued to play for the university until 1925. Concurrently, and subsequently, he represented Northamptonshire, becoming a key figure in their team. He captained Northamptonshire from 1930 to 1933. After concluding his professional cricket career, King pursued a career as a schoolmaster. He passed away on May 22, 1991, in Northampton, Northamptonshire, at the age of 88.
Etymology/Origin "Walter Gawen King" is a personal name. "Walter" is a Germanic given name derived from "wald-" (rule) and "hari" (army), meaning "commander of the army." "Gawen" is a name of Welsh or Breton origin, sometimes associated with the Arthurian knight Sir Gawain. "King" is a common English surname, often derived from a nickname for someone resembling a king or from the Old English word "cyning." Walter Gawen King was born and originated from Leicestershire, England.
Characteristics As a cricketer, King was a right-handed batsman. Over his 71 first-class appearances, he scored 2,752 runs at an average of 24.35, including two centuries. His highest score was 126 runs. Although primarily a batsman, he also bowled right-arm medium pace on occasion, taking 3 wickets in his career. His leadership qualities were recognized by his captaincy of Northamptonshire for four seasons. Beyond cricket, King also played football as an amateur for Northampton Town.
Related Topics
- First-class cricket: The highest level of domestic cricket.
- Oxford University Cricket Club: One of the prominent university teams in English cricket, which King represented.
- Northamptonshire County Cricket Club: An English county cricket club for which King played and captained.
- Cricketers of the 1920s and 1930s: The era during which King played alongside other notable figures in English cricket.