14. Neville Knox, Surrey & England

A genuinely fast bowler who represented both Limpsfield and Oxted CC in the late Victorian/ early Edwardian era was Neville Knox, also of Dulwich College, Surrey and England, described by Jack Hobbs, his Surrey team mate, as the fastest bowler he had ever seen.

It is also worth noting that, as a Dulwich schoolboy, Knox’s opening bowling partner was known on occasions to be the author PG Wodehouse.

Because of the extremely hard nature of the Oval pitches at the time and his desire to continue his profession as a singer, Neville Knox's first class career was short, but he was undoubtedly the fastest bowler of his time and one of the fastest bowlers ever to play for England – probably capable of speeds over 150 km/h (93 mph).

Knox’s star blazed briefly, but brightly, enjoying two very good seasons in 1905 and 1906. His twelve wickets for 174 against the Players at Lord's (5-73 and 7-110) at Lord’s in July 1906 is remembered as perhaps the fastest bowling ever seen in the history of Gentlemen v Players games.

In that match, one of the Professionals playing, seeing the speed at which Knox and Brearley were bowling, allowed himself to be bowled and walked off, saying “I’m sorry, Sir, but I’ve got a wife and family to think about”.

Knox always bowled flat out, off a long and winding run, with an “unusual” action that combined an undeniable off-break. Most observers thought he would not be able to keep this up for long, and so it proved. He developed severe problems with his shins, which left him permanently lame, and played first class Cricket only irregularly after 1906.

In 1904, Knox returned figures for Oxted CC of 7-6 against Edenbridge CC and in 1914 against Westerham CC took 9 for 14.

The following year, on Limpsfield Common, no less a figure than WG Grace declined to take first strike against Knox, 'preferring to take a look'.

Knox’s wicket haul for Oxted in 1909 was 40 wickets at 9.87.

He was married at St Mary’s Church in 1909 and the Gravestone of his parents Sir Ralph Henry and Lady Georgina Knox is located in the Churchyard.

His elder brother Frank also played for Oxted and was a First Class Cricketer, captaining Oxford University in 1901.