Name:

Farnes, Kenneth

Nickname:

Ken

Date of Birth:

08 Jul 1911

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Leytonstone, Essex, England

Date Died:

20 Oct 1941

Career:

Test: 1934 - 1939
First Class: 1930 - 1939

Teams:

Essex (Regional)
England (Country)

1936: Hammond and team head for Australia

Ken Farnes (1911–1941) was one of England’s premier fast bowlers during the 1930s, renowned for his genuine pace and remarkable athleticism.

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, the tall right-arm bowler represented England, Essex County Cricket Club, and Cambridge University. His sporting talents extended beyond the cricket pitch; while studying at Pembroke College, Cambridge, he also earned a Blue in athletics for the shot put.

After making his first-class debut for Essex in 1930, Farnes quickly rose through the ranks as a leading amateur bowler. His major breakthrough arrived in 1933 when he took 113 first-class wickets, paving the way for his selection in England's 1934 Ashes squad. He made a sensational Test debut against Australia at Trent Bridge, claiming a 10-wicket match haul despite England's eventual defeat.

Although frequent injuries disrupted his playing career, Farnes remained a highly impactful player, appearing in 15 Test matches between 1934 and 1939. He captured 60 Test wickets, which included another memorable 10-wicket performance against Australia in Melbourne in 1937. Over his entire first-class career, he amassed 690 wickets at an elite average of 21.45, earning him recognition as one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1939 and leading to the publication of his autobiography, *Tests and Tours*, in 1940.

His life and promising career were cut short by the outbreak of the Second World War, during which he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as a pilot. On 20 October 1941, at the age of 30, Farnes was tragically killed when his Wellington bomber crashed during a night-flying training exercise. He is remembered as one of the most naturally gifted bowlers of his generation, whose immense potential was lost to the conflict.