Charles Daulphin

Achievements:

• Cup Match Career: Somerset, 1955-1973, taking 27 wickets at an average of 16.41

• International Tours: Represented Bermuda on tours to England, the Caribbean, and other global destinations

• All-Rounder: Noted for both his fast bowling and batting skills

• Tennis: Developed into one of Bermuda's top tennis players after his cricket career

Biography:

Charles Daulphin was a supremely talented cricketer and a beloved figure in Bermuda's sports community. Known for his shining personality and prowess on the cricket field, Daulphin was one of Bermuda's most popular athletes. His warm, affable demeanor masked a fierce will to win, especially as one of Bermuda's most menacing fast bowlers.

Daulphin's athleticism in the field and superb eye for the ball marked him early on as a unique cricketing talent. From 1956 to 1966, he was a member of every Bermuda team that played against touring squads from England and the Caribbean. He also traveled extensively with Bermuda and various club sides, becoming a permanent fixture in Somerset's Cup Match side between 1955 and 1973, where he took a total of 27 wickets at an impressive average of 16.41.

Friends and family fondly remember Daulphin as someone who lived for sports, particularly cricket. His initial tour to Jamaica sparked a period of globe-trotting, culminating in 1962 when he traveled to England simultaneously with two separate Bermuda sides. During this time, he played for Pond Hill Stars and then joined Chummy Hayward's elite band of traveling cricketers, the Bermuda Wanderers.

One standout performance for Daulphin was hitting 77 not out against Hampstead on the first tour of England and 42 not out against St Kitts on a Caribbean tour. However, it was his half-century against New Zealand in 1972 that cemented his status as a cricket legend.

With Pond Hill Stars, the Bermuda Wanderers, the Bermuda National Team, and Southampton Rangers, Daulphin traveled the world. Tours to Jamaica in 1956 were followed by visits to the Leeward Islands, England, Barbados, and Trinidad throughout the 1960s.

Daulphin's distinguished Cup Match career came to an unexpected end in 1967 after he was surprisingly dropped from the Somerset team. Despite his success in cricket, Daulphin could have easily made a name for himself in football. As a young half-back for Pembroke Juniors, he showed great promise and even played for Bermuda select teams before an injury led him to focus solely on cricket.

After his cricket career ended, Daulphin took up tennis and quickly developed into one of the island's top professionals. He continued to play sports right up until his death in 1998 and was watching the XL Tennis Championships at Coral Beach when he suffered the seizure that led to his passing. His wife, Vicky Daulphin, noted that sports had been his main passion throughout his life, saying, "He was a people person and he had many, many friends at home and abroad. Sports was his main hobby. He traveled all over the world playing cricket."

Legacy:

Charles Daulphin's legacy as a versatile and passionate athlete is firmly entrenched in Bermuda's sports history. His remarkable achievements in cricket and later in tennis, combined with his warm personality and dedication, made him a beloved figure. Daulphin's story continues to inspire future generations, demonstrating the power of passion and determination in achieving sporting excellence.