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Black History Month: Leonard Harbin, Gloucestershire's First Black Cricketer

18 October 2022

Born in Trinidad in 1915, fast bowler Leonard Harbin was the first black player to represent Gloucestershire. He did so between 1949 and 1951, appearing in four first-class matches for Glos. Harbin took ten wickets at an average of 16.80, with a best of 5-80.

Harbin represented the island of Trinidad in Intercolonial cricket 1936-1941, first coming to the UK in 1939 as the West Indies toured England. Unluckily not selected for the touring party, Harbin played club cricket to ensure match fitness in case an injury struck the West Indian bowling unit. Harbin was never to appear for the West Indies.

Before turning out for Gloucestershire, Harbin had already spent some time in Bristol. After studying medicine at Bristol University, he qualified as a doctor in 1948 during which time he acted as Medical Officer at both Rolls Royce and the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC).

Whilst studying at Bristol University, Harbin was picked up by Gloucestershire, playing in a dozen Second XI matches and four first-class matches for the club. As well as his ten wickets, he held six catches and scored 34 runs with a high score of 13.

Leonard Harbin being introduced to the Duke of Beaufort at Clifton College during a game between BAC and the wartime West of England XI in 1944

After his time at Gloucestershire ended in 1951, Harbin continued to play English club cricket in Banbury, while working as a doctor at the Horton Hospital.

Leonard Harbin died in 2013 aged 98.

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