William Laidlaw (cricketer)

William Kennedy Laidlaw (26 August 1912 – 4 June 1992) was a Scottish cricketer. Laidlaw was a right-handed batsman who bowled leg break googly. He was born in Edinburgh, Midlothian and was educated at Melville College.

William Laidlaw
Personal information
Full name
William Kennedy Laidlaw
Born(1912-08-26)26 August 1912
Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Died4 June 1992(1992-06-04) (aged 79)
Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
BattingRight-handed
BowlingLeg break googly
International information
National side
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1950Minor Counties
1948–1952Durham
1938–1953Scotland
Career statistics
CompetitionFirst-class
Matches17
Runs scored132
Batting average7.33
100s/50s–/–
Top score25
Balls bowled2,558
Wickets42
Bowling average29.16
5 wickets in innings2
10 wickets in match
Best bowling7/70
Catches/stumpings8/–
Source: Cricinfo, 10 August 2011

Laidlaw made his first-class debut for Scotland against Yorkshire in 1938. His debut was an overwhelming success, with Laidlaw taking 7 wickets in the Yorkshire first-innings for the cost of 70 runs.[1] He played first-class cricket for Scotland either side of World War II, making a total of 15 appearances, with his final match coming against Ireland in 1953 in Belfast.[2] A bowler, Laidlaw took 40 wickets at an average of 26.62, with two five wicket hauls, although he never managed to better the figures he took against Yorkshire in 1938.[3] His other five wicket haul came against Ireland in 1949.[4]

His performances for Scotland caught the eye of Durham, then a minor county. He made his debut for Durham in the 1948 Minor Counties Championship against Northumberland, with Laidlaw making a total of 26 appearances between 1948 and 1952.[5] In 1950, he played his final two first-class matches when representing the Minor Counties against the Marylebone Cricket Club and the touring West Indians.[2]

Outside of cricket, he worked as an accountant.[6] He died in the city of his birth on 4 June 1992.

References