Description:Teams pictured on the occasion of Sydney Barnes' 80th birthday celebrations and testimonial match at Stafford Cricket Club's ground at the Hough in 1953. Over 5,000 people attended the match between an S.F. Barnes XI and an England XI. Barnes bowled the first over, a maiden, to fellow Staffordshire-born cricketer Jack Ikin, before retiring to the pavilion to watch the rest of the match. S.F. Barnes XI scored 240 for 6, declared, and the England XI responded with 289 for 6.
Back row (left to right): J.A. Young (Middlesex), C.H. Palmer (Leicestershire), T.J. Goodwin (Leicestershire), D.M. Haynes (Staffordshire), W.E. Hollies (Warwickshire), R.V.C. Robins (Middlesex).
Middle row: T. Muir (scorer), T.H. Higson (Stafford Borough Council), E.J. Smith (umpire), N.E. Browning (Stafford), J.D. Robertson (Middlesex), P.H.S. Wadham (Stafford), R.T.D. Perks (Worcestershire), C.W. Grove (Warwickshire), W.S. Surridge (Surrey), J.T. Ikin (Lancashire), C.C. Goodway (Warwickshire), R.T. Spooner (Warwickshire), F. Chester (umpire), C.H. Green (scorer).
Front row: R.T. Simpson (Nottinghamshire), C. Washbrook (Lancashire), W.J. Edrich (Middlesex), S.F. Barnes, W.T. Neville (President, Stafford Cricket Club), R.W.V. Robins (Middlesex), N.W.D. Yardley (Yorkshire), D.C.S. Compton (Middlesex), K.R. Dollery (Warwickshire).
S.F. (Sydney) Barnes was born in Smethwick, Staffordshire in 1873 and died in Chadsmoor, Staffordshire in 1967. He was described by Wisden as the world's greatest bowler. Even though he was a regular player for England, he continued playing for Staffordshire throughout his career. For England, he took 189 wickets at an average of 16.43 between 1901 and 1914. He retired from cricket while playing for Stone Cricket Club and coaching at Alleyne's Grammar School in 1940, when he was 67. He then worked for Staffordshire County Council as a copperplate writer until he was well over 90.
In the background is the main office block for the English Electric Co. factory on Lichfield Road.