Born at Stafford in 1906, Robert Walter Vivian Robins was an outstanding right-handed all-rounder. He first appeared for Middlesex in 1925 during his final term at Highgate School before going to Cambridge University where he achieved a blue in each of his three years between 1926 and 1928. A dynamic captain who made things happen he led Middlesex in three spells (1935 to 1938, 1946 to 1947 and 1950), winning the championship in 1947. In 379 first-class matches he scored 13,884 runs with 11 centuries and he recorded a top score of 140 versus Cambridge University at Fenner's in 1930. He took 969 wickets with a best performance of 8 for 69 versus Gloucestershire at Lord's in 1929 and he held 221 catches. Representing England in 19 Tests between 1929 and 1937 he captained his country 3 times in 1937 versus New Zealand and he achieved 612 runs with a top score of 108 versus South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester in 1935 and he bagged 64 wickets. He later acted as a Test selector (1946 to 1949, 1954 and 1964). He attained a blue at soccer whilst at Cambridge University and represented Nottingham Forest. He died at Marylebone, London in 1968.
