Alan Edward Moss 

14 November 1930 – 12 March 2019

Middlesex and England

Right arm fast medium bowler

Alan Moss was a late starter to cricket, when at the age of 16 he joined West Willesden Ramblers. He was then chosen to join the London Colts scheme which was run by E. M. Wellings. After receiving interest from a couple of counties, Moss had to choose between his budding carpentry career or that of a cricketer. He chose the latter, with his home county of Middlesex. 

After making four appearances in his debut season of 1950, Moss was called up for National Service, whereupon he conserved his reserve days, allowing him to play for Middlesex as much as possible. Following the end of his National Service in 1952, he became a professional and took 95 wickets at an average of 23 during that season. He followed this up in 1953 by taking over 90 wickets again. 

Despite not being as fast as some of his leading contemporaries such as Fred Trueman or Brian Statham, he was an accurate, reliable swing bowler who on his day could tear through a team and exploit the Lord’s slope for his own ends. 

His early good form for Middlesex saw him selected for the ill-tempered 1953-54 tour of the West Indies, making his debut in the first Test at Sabina Park, but after only taking two wickets in the match he sat out the rest of the series. He made nine Test appearances over six years, his best match being his final one, taking 4 for 35 and 3 for 36 against South Africa at Lord’s in 1960. 

Between 1950 and his retirement in 1963, Moss made 307 first-class appearances for Middlesex, taking 1,088 wickets at an average of 19.81. His most successful season came late in 1960 when he took 136 wickets at 13.72 with best figures of 8 for 31 against Northamptonshire. 

Following retirement, he went into the printing industry, eventually becoming managing director of the British Printing and Communications Corporation, but after being laid off following a takeover he became a self-employed printing consultant. 

He always stayed close to Middlesex, holding numerous roles with the club. He was a member of the Middlesex General Committee from 1976–2005 and 2008-2008/09 and also on the Executive Board 2010-2012. He served as Honorary Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance and Administration sub-committee 1984–1995, was Chairman 1996-1999 and President 2003-2005. He was Chairman of the Middlesex Cricket Board between 1996 and 2012, which ran the recreational game in the county, and was a Middlesex life vice-president.