replacement in the fourth Test). This final Test, in which England won the series 3–2 late on the last scheduled afternoon, was not a total personal success: Spooner conceded no byes, but failed to score in either innings. In fact, Spooner's batting declined noticeably after the high point of 1951. He made 1,000 runs in each of the next four seasons, though at a lower average, but by the later 1950s he was batting further down the order and averaging, at best, in the low 20s. After a poor season in 1959, he retired. Spooner became a groundsman in Devon. He died in Torquay in December 1997 at the age of 77. References 1919 births 1997 deaths People from Thornaby-on-Tees Cricketers from County Durham England Test cricketers English cricketers Warwickshire cricketers Commonwealth XI cricketers International Cavaliers cricketers Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers North v South cricketers Durham cricketers Sportspeople from Yorkshire A. E. R. Gilligan's XI cricketers Wicket-keepers