Name:

Taylor, Robert W

Nickname:

Bob

Date of Birth:

17 Jul 1941

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England

Career:

Test: 1971 - 1984
ODI: 1973 - 1984
First Class: 1961 - 1984

Teams:

England (Country)
Derbyshire (Regional)

1980 Jubilee Test: All round Botham cleans up India (Mumbai)

Robert William “Bob” Taylor MBE (born 17 July 1941, Stoke‑on‑Trent) is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest specialist wicket‑keepers.

Representing Derbyshire from 1961 to 1984 and England at Test level from 1971 to 1984, he featured in 57 Tests, making 167 catches and 7 stumpings, and amassed an impressive 1,473 catches and 176 stumpings in 639 first‑class matches—an all‑time record.

For much of his career he had to wait in Knott’s shadow until Alan Knott’s decision to join World Series Cricket freed the position for Taylor in 1977.

His brilliance was described as “artistry” behind the stumps, with others marvelling at how spectators flocked specifically to watch him keep.