Name Robert Balfour | ||
Robert Drummond Balfour was a cricketer who won four consecutive blues playing for Cambridge University between 1863 and 1866. Following University he continued his first-class career with a variety of invitational sides and represented Scotland against Surrey.
Contents
Early career
Robert Drummond Balfour was born on 1 March 1844 in Putney, Surrey and was educated at Bradfield College, Westminster School and Magdalene College, Cambridge. He was a right-handed, middle or lower-order batsman and wicket-keeper. By the time he went up to Cambridge Balfour had already played a good standard of club cricket for I Zingari and for a XXII of Cirencester against the United All-England Eleven. He made his first-class debut for Cambridge University against MCC in 1863, and remained a first choice in the eleven whilst he was at University
Later career
After completing his studies he continued to play regularly for the MCC and also once for the Gentlemen versus Players. He also represented Scotland against Surrey. His final appearance in first-class Cricket was for the MCC against Cambridge University in 1873. In 59 first-class innings Balfour scored 685 runs at an average of 12.45. His highest score was 82. As a 'keeper he effected 33 dismissals, 22 of which were catches and 11 stumpings. There is no record of him bowling.
Drummond Balfour became a stockbroker and a member of the Stock Exchange with the firm of Capel & Co. He married Catherine Elizabeth Donaldson in 1876 and died on 7 May 1915 at Welwyn, Hertfordshire.