Born at Friern Barnet, Middlesex on 11th February 1930, Philip Ian Bedford was a lower-order right-handed batsman and leg-break bowler. He made his Middlesex debut in 1947 when 17; he created a good impression by finishing second in the county bowling averages with 25 wickets (av. 19.36). He failed to maintain that early form and decided to leave county cricket. In 1961 Middlesex recalled him as captain and he led the county for two seasons. Playing 77 first-class matches he scored 979 runs (av. 16.31) with a top score of 75 n.o. bagged 128 wickets (av. 32.87) with a best performance of 6 for 52 and he held 46 catches. He toured abroad on three occasions to South America in 1958/59 and 1963/64 and North America in 1959. Sadly he collapsed whilst batting in a club match at Buckhurst Hill C.C., Essex on 18th September 1966 and died on his way to Wanstead Hospital.
