Bernie Constable
Encyclopedia
Bernard "Bernie" Constable (February 19, 1921 at East Molesey
, Surrey
– May 14, 1997 at Huntingdon
) was an English first class cricketer for Surrey County Cricket Club
. Playing for the Surrey club East Molesey
for the earlier part of his career, he was a right-handed batsman and leg break bowler. Constable had a long first class career, playing from 1939 until 1964. This period took in Surrey's seven successive County Championship
wins from 1952 to 1958, to which he made a valuable contribution.
He scored 18849 runs in first-class cricket
at an average of 30.45, including 27 centuries. In his 434 matches for Surrey his highest innings was 205 not out against Somerset at The Oval in 1952. The double century was particularly memorable as it took only 5 hours. Small in stature, Constable was a fine cutter of the ball. He batted up and down the order as the needs of the team demanded. He was a useful leg spinner early in his career becoming an occasional change later on.
Micky Stewart
said of him: "He knew the game inside out and every first-class player inside out. I learned more about cricket from Bernie Constable than from anyone else." His brother, Dennis
, was also a first-class cricketer.
East Molesey
Molesey is a town in the Borough of Elmbridge in Surrey, England. Situated on the outskirts of Greater London, approximately from Charing Cross, it is a typical suburban area. There are two distinct areas in the town: West and East Molesey...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
– May 14, 1997 at Huntingdon
Huntingdon
Huntingdon is a market town in Cambridgeshire, England. The town was chartered by King John in 1205. It is the traditional county town of Huntingdonshire, and is currently the seat of the Huntingdonshire district council. It is known as the birthplace in 1599 of Oliver Cromwell.-History:Huntingdon...
) was an English first class cricketer for Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions...
. Playing for the Surrey club East Molesey
East Molesey Cricket Club
East Molesey Cricket Club is a cricket club in Molesey, Surrey. It was established in 1871, although cricket has been played at the Moulsey Hurst since 1731. East Molesey's current ground, 'The Memorial Ground', has been the home for the Surrey club since the late 19th century and is situated just...
for the earlier part of his career, he was a right-handed batsman and leg break bowler. Constable had a long first class career, playing from 1939 until 1964. This period took in Surrey's seven successive County Championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
wins from 1952 to 1958, to which he made a valuable contribution.
He scored 18849 runs in first-class cricket
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
at an average of 30.45, including 27 centuries. In his 434 matches for Surrey his highest innings was 205 not out against Somerset at The Oval in 1952. The double century was particularly memorable as it took only 5 hours. Small in stature, Constable was a fine cutter of the ball. He batted up and down the order as the needs of the team demanded. He was a useful leg spinner early in his career becoming an occasional change later on.
Micky Stewart
Micky Stewart
Michael James Stewart OBE is an English former cricketer, coach and administrator. He was awarded the OBE in 1998 for services to cricket....
said of him: "He knew the game inside out and every first-class player inside out. I learned more about cricket from Bernie Constable than from anyone else." His brother, Dennis
Dennis Constable
Dennis Constable is a former English cricketer. Constable was a right-handed batsman who fielded as a wicket-keeper. He was born at East Molesey, Surrey....
, was also a first-class cricketer.