Alexander William Rodgerson Barrow, hailing from England, is a cricket player known for his wicketkeeping skills. Born on June 28, 1992, Barrow faced some challenges early on in his career due to the presence of established players like Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter in the Somerset team. However, when fate intervened and presented Barrow with a clear path to showcase his talent, his form deserted him at an inopportune moment, leading to his departure from the county in 2016.
Barrow’s initial appearances for Somerset came primarily as a specialist batsman, a role that proved to be demanding for him. Despite the departure of Buttler and Kieswetter, Somerset loaned Michael Bates, a proficient wicketkeeper without much batting prowess, to challenge Barrow. Despite one notable mishap, where Barrow’s fumble caused James Taylor to be initially ruled out, his commendable act of sportsmanship in calling Taylor back garnered praise. Nevertheless, his response suggested that he would have preferred to catch the ball cleanly.
In 2016, Barrow faced intense competition for his spot in the team when Somerset signed Ryan Davies, a promising young keeper from Kent. Consequently, Barrow’s opportunities were limited, with only one Championship and four Royal London appearances to his name. Somerset’s subsequent signing of Steve Davies from Surrey, a wicketkeeper known for his batting prowess, prompted Barrow to make the decision to move on from the county.
Barrow’s cricketing journey began at King’s School in Taunton, where he left a lasting impression. In his final season of 2012, he averaged an impressive 160 for the school team and also had the opportunity to represent England U19, making a half-century on his debut against Sri Lanka.
After signing his first professional contract in 2010, Barrow made his first-class debut for Somerset the following season. He made his mark as an opening batsman, filling in for the injured Marcus Trescothick, and scored his maiden first-class 50 against Yorkshire in September. However, despite this early success, only four of his first 50 first-class innings resulted in half-centuries. His average of 12.40 in nine Championship matches in 2012 and 23.62 in 10 first-class games in 2013 reflected his struggles. Nevertheless, his unbeaten 83 against Durham in a crucial match helped Somerset secure a draw and solidify their Division One status. Barrow also found himself at the center of controversy when he fell victim to a ‘mankading’ incident by Murali Kartik during a Championship match against Surrey.
Barrow’s career was marred by injuries, as he underwent shoulder surgery before the 2012 season and knee surgery shortly after. Despite these setbacks, he had the opportunity to be a substitute fielder for England during the 2014 Lord’s Test against India. He also had a chance to regain his spot in the Somerset team when Kieswetter suffered a head injury, responding with a career-best innings of 88 against Northants. However, once Kieswetter recovered, Barrow found himself on the sidelines once again.
While Barrow’s career may have had its ups and downs, he remains a talented wicketkeeper-batsman with the potential to shine in the future. As he continues his cricketing journey, it will be interesting to see where his skills and determination will lead him.