Ashley John Harvey-Walker was an English cricketer known for his engaging personality and his sporadic successes on the cricket field. Born on March 28, 1945, in England, Ashley had a promising career that sadly came to a tragic end when he was shot dead in a bar in Johannesburg on April 28, 1997, at the age of 52.
Harvey-Walker made a memorable start to his cricketing journey by becoming the first Derbyshire player to score a century on debut. This exceptional feat occurred during a match against Oxford University at Burton-on-Trent in 1971 when he was 26 years old. Despite playing 81 matches over eight seasons, Ashley often found it difficult to secure a regular place in the team and experienced inconsistent success. While he possessed an impressive ability to strike the ball, fast bowlers posed a challenge for him. Ashley once famously hit Pat Pocock onto the top deck of the Oval pavilion, showcasing his prowess as a batsman.
Derbyshire supporters fondly remember Ashley’s off-break bowling, which earned him the nickname “Ashley Harvey-Wider” from the local press box. Although he rarely bowled, his spin proved to be effective during a match against Surrey in 1978. Contending with a disintegrating pitch and lacking a recognized spinner, Derbyshire captain Eddie Barlow handed the new ball to Harvey-Walker. In a stunning performance, he took an impressive seven wickets for 35 runs as Surrey were dismissed for a paltry 77. Despite his heroics, Derbyshire ultimately lost the match.
However, Ashley’s most memorable moment would come during the famous snow-affected match at Buxton in 1975. Facing dangerous bouncing balls on a snow-affected pitch, Harvey-Walker found himself in a comical situation. As he was caught at short leg, he handed umpire Dickie Bird something wrapped in a handkerchief. To everyone’s surprise, it turned out to be his false teeth. Supposedly, as the ball looped towards the fielder, Ashley shouted out, “Catch it!” with a toothless grin.
After retiring from professional cricket, Harvey-Walker made a move to South Africa. He worked as an assistant groundsman at The Wanderers, a famous cricket ground in Johannesburg. Just a month before his untimely death, he played a role in preparing the pitch for the Test match against Australia. In addition to his involvement in cricket, Ashley had an interest in an inner-city bar, a venture that unfortunately led to a tragic end.
Ashley John Harvey-Walker will always be remembered as an eccentric and talented cricketer who brought smiles to the faces of his teammates and fans. Despite the fickleness of his career and an unexpected demise, his contributions to the sport and the joy he brought to those around him will never be forgotten.
