Philip Ian Bedford (11 February 1930 – 18 September 1966) was an English first-class cricketer who had a sensational start to his first-class career with Middlesex in 1947 as a 17-year-old lower-order batsman and leg break bowler. In his first match, against Essex, he was the fourth spin bowler used in the Essex first innings, but took four wickets for 81 runs.^[1] He then took four for 65 in his second match against Nottinghamshire,^[2] five for 53 in his third against Surrey^[3] and five for 54 in his fourth and final match of 1947 against Lancashire.^[4]

Ian Bedford

Personal information
Full name	Philip Ian Bedford
Born	(1930-02-11)11 February 1930 Friern Barnet, Middlesex, England
Died	18 September 1966(1966-09-18) (aged 36) On the way to Wanstead Hospital, Wanstead, Essex, England
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right arm leg-spin
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1947–1962	Middlesex
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 77 Runs scored 979 Batting average 16.31 100s/50s 0/3 Top score 75 not out Balls bowled 7797 Wickets 128 Bowling average 32.87 5 wickets in innings 5 10 wickets in match 0 Best bowling 6/52 Catches/stumpings 45/0
Source: Cricinfo, 30 January 2016

He was less successful in subsequent seasons,^[5] and returned to club cricket in 1951 while working for a construction company, until he succeeded John Warr as Middlesex captain in 1961 and 1962. He was a popular captain, who often declared boldly in an effort to achieve a result.^[6]

Bedford played in 77 first-class matches between 1947 and 1962, taking 128 wickets at an average cost of 32.87, with a personal best of 6/52.

He died following a brain aneurysm, while batting for Finchley C.C. at Buckhurst Hill in 1966. He was 36. He left a wife and four young daughters.^[7]