Martin Vernon

{{short description|English cricketer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Martin Vernon

| image =

| country =

| fullname = Martin Jeffery Vernon

| birth_date = {{birth date|1951|7|4|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Marylebone, London, England

| death_date = 2024 (aged 73)

| death_place =

| nickname =

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right-arm fast-medium

| role = Bowler

| club1 = Middlesex

| year1 = 1974–1976

| clubnumber1 =

| club2 = Gloucestershire

| year2 = 1977

| clubnumber2 =

| columns = 2

| column1 = FC

| matches1 = 22

| runs1 = 146

| bat avg1 = 6.63

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 27

| deliveries1 = 1847

| wickets1 = 31

| bowl avg1 = 38.64

| fivefor1 = 2

| tenfor1 = 1

| best bowling1 = 6/58

| catches/stumpings1 = 5/0

| column2 = List A

| matches2 = 31

| runs2 = 75

| bat avg2 = 7.50

| 100s/50s2 = 0/0

| top score2 = 15*

| deliveries2 = 1399

| wickets2 = 26

| bowl avg2 = 40.15

| fivefor2 = 0

| tenfor2 = n/a

| best bowling2 = 3/13

| catches/stumpings2 = 3/0

| date = 30 July 2013

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/22217.html Cricinfo

}}

Martin Vernon (4 July 1951 – 2024) was an English cricketer. He played for Middlesex between 1974 and 1976 and for Gloucestershire in 1977.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/22217.html |title= Martin Vernon |accessdate=30 July 2013 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

Vernon played irregularly for Middlesex Second XI from 1970,{{cite web | url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/33/33513/Second_Eleven_Championship_Matches.html| title = Second Eleven Championship Matches played by Martin Vernon| publisher = CricketArchive| accessdate = 2 January 2017}} and made his first-team debut in 1974 as an opening bowler. In July 1974, in his third County Championship match, he took 6 for 58 and 5 for 54 against Somerset, twice dismissing Viv Richards leg-before, and dismissing Brian Close for a pair, the first in Close's long career. Vernon took four wickets in seven balls in the second innings.{{cite web | url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/34/34447.html| title = Somerset v Middlesex 1974| publisher = CricketArchive| accessdate = 2 January 2017}}Wisden 1975, p. 544. With his pace he was regarded as a possible long-term replacement for John Price in the Middlesex team,Wisden 1975, p. 488. but he was unable to maintain his form, and his appearances in first-class cricket were irregular. His best List A cricket figures came in his first match, when he took 3 for 13 off eight overs against Yorkshire in June 1974.{{cite web | url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/34/34344.html| title = Yorkshire v Middlesex 1974| publisher = CricketArchive| accessdate = 2 January 2017}} He toured Bangladesh with MCC in 1976-77. An ankle injury forced him to retire from professional cricket after the 1977 season.{{cite web |title=Former player Martin Vernon passes away aged 73 |url=https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2024/09/middlesex-cricket-mourns-the-passing-of-former-player-martin-vernon |website=Middlesex CCC |access-date=29 October 2024}}

Vernon had a career in newspaper and magazine advertising, including two positions as a managing director.

Vernon died in 2024 at the age of 73.{{cite web |title=Martin Vernon RIP - 1951 – 2024 |url=https://www.gloscricket.co.uk/news/martin-vernon-rip-1951-2024/ |website=Gloucestershire CCC |access-date=12 September 2024 |date=12 September 2024}}