Arthur Daer

Arthur Daer (22 November 1905 – 16 July 1980) was an English cricketer. He played for Essex between 1925 and 1935 primarily as a fast-medium bowler.[1]

Daer made two appearances during the 1925 season but on both occasions failed to bowl and only batted as a tailender.[2] He was a more regular part of the side between 1929 and 1934 with his most productive season coming in 1930 when he claimed 51 wickets.[3][4] He also showed promise as a batsman, averaging over 20 that year, but did not develop this part of his game.[4] His best bowing figures were achieved against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham in 1933 when he took 6/38 in an innings and 9/93 in the match.[4][5]

In 1932, he was part of the Essex bowling attack that could not break the partnership of Yorkshire openers Percy Holmes and Herbert Sutcliffe as they recorded a world record stand of 555 at Leyton.[6] Holmes was dropped on 3 off the bowling of Daer and the uncertainty over whether the partnership was worth 554 (which would only have equalled the record) or 555 centered on a no-ball from Daer which umpire Tiger Smith claimed to signal but was not initially recorded by the scorers.[7][8]

Daer played cricket as an amateur earning his income through joint ownership of the Golden Lion public house in Romford. After retiring he also ran a sports shop alongside Essex team-mate Sonny Avery.[2][8] His younger brother, Harry, played as a professional for Essex in 1938 and 1939.[2]