Alec Kennedy

Alexander Stuart Kennedy (24 January 1891 – 15 November 1959) was a Scottish professional cricketer who played in five Test matches for England and had an extensive domestic career with Hampshire in English county cricket, spanning 29 years. Born in Scotland but raised in England, Kennedy made his debut in first-class cricket for Hampshire in 1907. An all-rounder, he formed a potent bowling partnership with fellow all-rounder Jack Newman that spanned 20 years, with the pair sometimes bowling unchanged throughout both innings of a match. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, Kennedy developed into one of the most durable and consistent all-rounders in county cricket. As a bowler, he was known for his consistent accuracy, and his ability to bowl inswingers and turn the ball.

After emerging as an all-rounder following the First World War, Kennedy played five Test matches for England on the Marylebone Cricket Club's 1922–23 tour of South Africa. He was chosen as one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year for 1934. In 677 first-class matches, he took 2,874 wickets, including 225 five wicket hauls. His career total is the seventh highest in first-class cricket, with his is 2,549 wickets for Hampshire second only to Derek Shackleton's 2,669. As a batsman, he scored 16,586 runs making ten centuries. Having started out as a tailend batsman, Kennedy's batting improved as his career progressed that by the early 1920s, he was entrusted with opening the batting.

Following his retirement, Kennedy coached cricket at Cheltenham College and later in South Africa from 1947 to 1954. He died on 15 November 1959, having been unwell for several months.