Derbyshire County Cricket Club in 1873
Encyclopedia
Derbyshire Country Cricket Club in 1873 was the third cricket
season which the English club Derbyshire
played. Officials and supporters were disappointed that they had been unable to arrange further first-class fixtures than the two against Lancashire
, but they managed to arrange an extra match against Nottinghamshire
who were considered a major cricket power at the time.
Samuel Richardson
was captain in his third season. The death of bowler Dove Gregory
on 21 May at the age of 35 left a potential hole, but it was amply filled by William Mycroft
' an ironstone miner and later publican, making his debut in the season. Derbyshire further strengthened their side with the arrival of Alfort Smith
as wicket-keeper from Lancashire, and Thomas Foster
, both from the cotton mills of lossop], and William Rigley
a blacksmith. These three subsequently saw several years of service with the club. Other new players were Rev. William Humble
, a local curate, who played occasionally over a few years, Thomas Howarth
another cotton worked from Glossop who put in a single career first class appearance. Veteran president William Jervis
, a lawyer, stepped in for one game. Additional players who made up the 16 member side against Nottinghamshire were John Frost
, a joiner from Wirksworth, who played first-class for Derbyshire in the following season, Rev. Robert Moncreiff
later 3rd Baron Moncreiff and unidentified players W Allen and Edward Tatlow.
In their first match against Lancashire, Derbyshire made 88 in the first innings, and Lancashire replied with 118. Derbyshire were all out for 52 in their second innings, no player scoring double figures, and Lancashire took the runs needed to win for the loss of one wicket. In the second match Lancashire set up a score of 238 in their first innings, and Derbyshire made 70 in response and followed on to make 86.
In the match against Nottinghamshire, played at Wirksworth, Derbyshire scored 116 in the first innings and got Nottinghamshire out for 14. In the follow-on, Nottinghamshire were all out for 72. Although Derbyshire had an advantage with 16 players to Nottinghamshire's 11, the result was astounding. The story has been handed down that before their innings, Nottinghamshire were lavishly entertained by a keen and generous supporter of Derbyshire who owned a wine and spirit business, where he blended potent and attractive spirit.
William Curgenven
scored most runs in first-class matches, and William Mycroft
took most wickets in the season.
! bgcolor="#efefef" colspan=6 | List of first-class matches
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
!No.
!Date
!V
!Result
!Margin
!Notes
|-
|1
|21 Jul 1873
| Lancashire
County Ground, Derby
|bgcolor="#FF0000"|Lost
| 8 wickets
| W Mycroft
6-35; W McIntyre
6-18
|-
|2
|22 Aug 1873
| Lancashire
Old Trafford, Manchester
|bgcolor="#FF0000"|Lost
| Innings and 82 runs
| A Watson
6-38 and 5-34
|-
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! bgcolor="#efefef" colspan=6 | List of other matches
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
!No.
!Date
!V
!Result
!Margin
!Notes
|-
|1
|04 Sep 1873
| Nottinghamshire
Derby Road Ground, Wirksworth
|bgcolor="#00FF00"|Won
| Innings and 30 runs
| JC Shaw
6-40; J Flint
6-7
|-
|}
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Name !! Am/
Pro !! Age !! Hand !! Matches !! Inns !! Runs !! High score !! Average !!100s
|-
| W Hickton
|| P || 30 || R || 1 ||2 || 26 ||21*|| 26.00 || 0
|-
| W G Curgenven
|| A || 31 || R || 2|| 4 || 61 ||39 ||15.25 || 0
|-
| T Foster
|| P || 24 || R || 1|| 2 || 23|| 17 ||11.50|| 0
|-
| R P Smith
|| A || 24 || R || 2|| 4 || 41|| 20|| 10.25|| 0
|-
| S Richardson
|| A || 28 || R || 2|| 4|| 36 ||25 || 9.00 || 0
|-
| W Rigley
|| P || 21 || R || 1|| 2 || 17 ||13 || 8.50 || 0
|-
| J Flint
|| || 23 || R || 1|| 2 || 15 ||11 || 7.50 || 0
|-
| WJ Humble
|| A || 26 || R || 1|| 2 || 13 ||11|| 6.50 || 0
|-
| J T B D Platts
|| P || 34 || L || 2|| 4 || 24 ||10 ||6.00 || 0
|-
| U Sowter
|| A || 34 || R || 1 ||2 || 8|| 6|| 4.00 || 0
|-
| T Howarth
|| A || 27 || R || 1|| 2 || 7|| 5|| 3.50 || 0
|-
| WM Jervis
|| A || 46 || R ||1 ||2 || 6|| 6|| 3.00 || 0
|-
| J Davidson
|| A || 26 || R || 2|| 4 || 6|| 4 ||3.00 || 0
|-
| JW Burnham
|| A || 33 || R || 1|| 2 || 4|| 4 ||2.00 || 0
|-
| W Mycroft
|| P || 32 || R || 2 ||4 || 4|| 3 ||1.33|| 0
|-
| A Smith
|| || 26 || R || 1|| 2 || 2|| 2|| 1.00 || 0
|-
| J Smith
|| A || 31 || R || || || || || ||
|-
| JH Frost
|| A || 25 || R || || || || || ||
|-
| R C Moncreiff
|| A || 29 || R || || || || || ||
|-
| W Allen || A || || R || || || || || ||
|-
| E Tatlow || A || || R || || || || || ||
|}
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Name !! Hand !! Balls !! Runs !! Wickets !! BB !! Average
|-
| W Mycroft
|| L F ||356 ||108 ||10|| 6-35 ||10.80
|-
| J T B D Platts
|| R F || 148 || 66|| 4 ||2-17 ||16.50
|-
| J Davidson
|| R Off ||152 ||63 ||3 ||2-18|| 21.00
|-
|W Rigley
||R M || 24 || 10 ||2|| 2-10 ||5.00
|-
| S Richardson
|| || 56 ||43|| 1 ||1-43 || 43.00
|-
| W Hickton
|| R F || 96 ||48|| 1|| 1-48 || 48.00
|-
| J Flint
|| R Sl (round arm)|| 64 ||28|| 1 ||1-28|| 28.00
|-
|}
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
season which the English club Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
played. Officials and supporters were disappointed that they had been unable to arrange further first-class fixtures than the two against Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
, but they managed to arrange an extra match against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
who were considered a major cricket power at the time.
1873 season
Derbyshire played two first-class matches in their third year, both against Lancashire, and lost both. They also played a match against Nottinghamshire which they won having five additional players.Samuel Richardson
Samuel Richardson (cricketer)
Samuel Richardson was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1878 and captained the side from 1871 to 1875. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871 when he was captain and wicket-keeper...
was captain in his third season. The death of bowler Dove Gregory
Dove Gregory
Dove Gregory was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire in 1871 and 1872. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871 and his early death in 1873 robbed the side of an outstanding bowler.Dove was born in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire...
on 21 May at the age of 35 left a potential hole, but it was amply filled by William Mycroft
William Mycroft
William Mycroft was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire and MCC between 1873 and 1886. He was a left-arm fast bowler with a great deal of spin and a dangerous yorker that was often believed to be unfair - which may explain why he was not considered for the earliest...
' an ironstone miner and later publican, making his debut in the season. Derbyshire further strengthened their side with the arrival of Alfort Smith
Alfort Smith
Alfort Smith was an English cricketer who kept wicket for Lancashire in 1867 and 1871 and for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1880....
as wicket-keeper from Lancashire, and Thomas Foster
Thomas Foster (cricketer, born 1848)
Thomas Foster was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1884. He topped the scoring for the club in three seasons....
, both from the cotton mills of lossop], and William Rigley
William Rigley
William Rigley was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1882.Rigley was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, the son of John Rigley and his wife Ann. His father was a blacksmith and moved to Somercotes, Derbyshire. Rigley also became a blacksmith...
a blacksmith. These three subsequently saw several years of service with the club. Other new players were Rev. William Humble
William Humble
William Humble was an English clergyman and cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1877....
, a local curate, who played occasionally over a few years, Thomas Howarth
Thomas Howarth
Thomas Howarth was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire in 1873.Howarth was born in Glossop, Derbyshire and became a cotton weaver. He played for Derbyshire in the 1873 season in one first-class match against Lancashire in August, scoring seven runs in the two innings...
another cotton worked from Glossop who put in a single career first class appearance. Veteran president William Jervis
William Jervis
William Monk Jervis was an English lawyer and cricketer who played for Oxford University, Marylebone Cricket Club and Derbyshire....
, a lawyer, stepped in for one game. Additional players who made up the 16 member side against Nottinghamshire were John Frost
John Frost (cricketer)
John Henry Frost was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire in 1874.Frost was born in Wirksworth, the son of George Frost, a farmer/builder, and his wife Mary...
, a joiner from Wirksworth, who played first-class for Derbyshire in the following season, Rev. Robert Moncreiff
Robert Moncreiff, 3rd Baron Moncreiff
Robert Chichester Moncreiff, 3rd Baron Moncreiff was an English clergyman and cricketer who succeeded to the title Baron Moncreiff....
later 3rd Baron Moncreiff and unidentified players W Allen and Edward Tatlow.
In their first match against Lancashire, Derbyshire made 88 in the first innings, and Lancashire replied with 118. Derbyshire were all out for 52 in their second innings, no player scoring double figures, and Lancashire took the runs needed to win for the loss of one wicket. In the second match Lancashire set up a score of 238 in their first innings, and Derbyshire made 70 in response and followed on to make 86.
In the match against Nottinghamshire, played at Wirksworth, Derbyshire scored 116 in the first innings and got Nottinghamshire out for 14. In the follow-on, Nottinghamshire were all out for 72. Although Derbyshire had an advantage with 16 players to Nottinghamshire's 11, the result was astounding. The story has been handed down that before their innings, Nottinghamshire were lavishly entertained by a keen and generous supporter of Derbyshire who owned a wine and spirit business, where he blended potent and attractive spirit.
William Curgenven
William Curgenven
William Grafton Curgenven was an English doctor and cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire between 1872 and 1878.-Biography and career:...
scored most runs in first-class matches, and William Mycroft
William Mycroft
William Mycroft was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire and MCC between 1873 and 1886. He was a left-arm fast bowler with a great deal of spin and a dangerous yorker that was often believed to be unfair - which may explain why he was not considered for the earliest...
took most wickets in the season.
Matches
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"! bgcolor="#efefef" colspan=6 | List of first-class matches
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
!No.
!Date
!V
!Result
!Margin
!Notes
|-
|1
|21 Jul 1873
| Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
County Ground, Derby
|bgcolor="#FF0000"|Lost
| 8 wickets
| W Mycroft
William Mycroft
William Mycroft was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire and MCC between 1873 and 1886. He was a left-arm fast bowler with a great deal of spin and a dangerous yorker that was often believed to be unfair - which may explain why he was not considered for the earliest...
6-35; W McIntyre
William McIntyre (cricketer)
William McIntyre was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Nottinghamshire from 1869 to 1871 and for Lancashire from 1872 to 1880....
6-18
|-
|2
|22 Aug 1873
| Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
Old Trafford, Manchester
|bgcolor="#FF0000"|Lost
| Innings and 82 runs
| A Watson
Alexander Watson (cricketer)
Alexander Watson was an English first-class cricketer who played for Lancashire.Scotland born Watson was a prolific wickettaker for Lancashire, debuting in 1871. In 1871 he first played for Lancashire and in 1874 took his career best innings figures of 9 for 118 against Derbyshire...
6-38 and 5-34
|-
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! bgcolor="#efefef" colspan=6 | List of other matches
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
!No.
!Date
!V
!Result
!Margin
!Notes
|-
|1
|04 Sep 1873
| Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
Derby Road Ground, Wirksworth
|bgcolor="#00FF00"|Won
| Innings and 30 runs
| JC Shaw
Jem Shaw
James Coupe Shaw James Coupe (Jem) Shaw James Coupe (Jem) Shaw ((11 April 1836 - 7 March 1888) was an English professional cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire from 1865 to 1875 making 115 appearances. According to WG Grace, few bowlers had a better record....
6-40; J Flint
Joseph Flint
Joseph Flint was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1872 and 1879.Flint was born at Wirksworth, Derbyshire, the son of James Flint, a lead miner, and his wife Elizabeth....
6-7
|-
|}
Cricketers who played and their first-class batting performances
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="80%"|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Name !! Am/
Pro !! Age !! Hand !! Matches !! Inns !! Runs !! High score !! Average !!100s
|-
| W Hickton
William Hickton (cricketer, born 1842)
William Hickton was an English cricketer who played for Lancashire between 1867 and 1871 and for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1878. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| P || 30 || R || 1 ||2 || 26 ||21*|| 26.00 || 0
|-
| W G Curgenven
William Curgenven
William Grafton Curgenven was an English doctor and cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire between 1872 and 1878.-Biography and career:...
|| A || 31 || R || 2|| 4 || 61 ||39 ||15.25 || 0
|-
| T Foster
Thomas Foster (cricketer, born 1848)
Thomas Foster was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1884. He topped the scoring for the club in three seasons....
|| P || 24 || R || 1|| 2 || 23|| 17 ||11.50|| 0
|-
| R P Smith
Robert Smith (cricketer)
Robert Posnett Smith , later known as Robert Posnett Stevens, was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1884 and was captain of the side from 1876 to 1883...
|| A || 24 || R || 2|| 4 || 41|| 20|| 10.25|| 0
|-
| S Richardson
Samuel Richardson (cricketer)
Samuel Richardson was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1878 and captained the side from 1871 to 1875. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871 when he was captain and wicket-keeper...
|| A || 28 || R || 2|| 4|| 36 ||25 || 9.00 || 0
|-
| W Rigley
William Rigley
William Rigley was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1882.Rigley was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, the son of John Rigley and his wife Ann. His father was a blacksmith and moved to Somercotes, Derbyshire. Rigley also became a blacksmith...
|| P || 21 || R || 1|| 2 || 17 ||13 || 8.50 || 0
|-
| J Flint
Joseph Flint
Joseph Flint was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1872 and 1879.Flint was born at Wirksworth, Derbyshire, the son of James Flint, a lead miner, and his wife Elizabeth....
|| || 23 || R || 1|| 2 || 15 ||11 || 7.50 || 0
|-
| WJ Humble
William Humble
William Humble was an English clergyman and cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1877....
|| A || 26 || R || 1|| 2 || 13 ||11|| 6.50 || 0
|-
| J T B D Platts
John Platts
John Thomas Brown Dumelow Platts was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1884. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| P || 34 || L || 2|| 4 || 24 ||10 ||6.00 || 0
|-
| U Sowter
Unwin Sowter
Unwin Sowter was an English corn factor and miller and cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1876. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| A || 34 || R || 1 ||2 || 8|| 6|| 4.00 || 0
|-
| T Howarth
Thomas Howarth
Thomas Howarth was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire in 1873.Howarth was born in Glossop, Derbyshire and became a cotton weaver. He played for Derbyshire in the 1873 season in one first-class match against Lancashire in August, scoring seven runs in the two innings...
|| A || 27 || R || 1|| 2 || 7|| 5|| 3.50 || 0
|-
| WM Jervis
William Jervis
William Monk Jervis was an English lawyer and cricketer who played for Oxford University, Marylebone Cricket Club and Derbyshire....
|| A || 46 || R ||1 ||2 || 6|| 6|| 3.00 || 0
|-
| J Davidson
Joseph Davidson
Joseph Davidson was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1874. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| A || 26 || R || 2|| 4 || 6|| 4 ||3.00 || 0
|-
| JW Burnham
John Burnham
John William Burnham was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1876. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| A || 33 || R || 1|| 2 || 4|| 4 ||2.00 || 0
|-
| W Mycroft
William Mycroft
William Mycroft was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire and MCC between 1873 and 1886. He was a left-arm fast bowler with a great deal of spin and a dangerous yorker that was often believed to be unfair - which may explain why he was not considered for the earliest...
|| P || 32 || R || 2 ||4 || 4|| 3 ||1.33|| 0
|-
| A Smith
Alfort Smith
Alfort Smith was an English cricketer who kept wicket for Lancashire in 1867 and 1871 and for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1880....
|| || 26 || R || 1|| 2 || 2|| 2|| 1.00 || 0
|-
| J Smith
John Smith (Derbyshire cricketer)
John Smith was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire from 1871 to 1878. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| A || 31 || R || || || || || ||
|-
| JH Frost
John Frost (cricketer)
John Henry Frost was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire in 1874.Frost was born in Wirksworth, the son of George Frost, a farmer/builder, and his wife Mary...
|| A || 25 || R || || || || || ||
|-
| R C Moncreiff
Robert Moncreiff, 3rd Baron Moncreiff
Robert Chichester Moncreiff, 3rd Baron Moncreiff was an English clergyman and cricketer who succeeded to the title Baron Moncreiff....
|| A || 29 || R || || || || || ||
|-
| W Allen || A || || R || || || || || ||
|-
| E Tatlow || A || || R || || || || || ||
|}
First Class bowling averages
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="70%"|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Name !! Hand !! Balls !! Runs !! Wickets !! BB !! Average
|-
| W Mycroft
William Mycroft
William Mycroft was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire and MCC between 1873 and 1886. He was a left-arm fast bowler with a great deal of spin and a dangerous yorker that was often believed to be unfair - which may explain why he was not considered for the earliest...
|| L F ||356 ||108 ||10|| 6-35 ||10.80
|-
| J T B D Platts
John Platts
John Thomas Brown Dumelow Platts was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1884. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| R F || 148 || 66|| 4 ||2-17 ||16.50
|-
| J Davidson
Joseph Davidson
Joseph Davidson was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1874. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| R Off ||152 ||63 ||3 ||2-18|| 21.00
|-
|W Rigley
William Rigley
William Rigley was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1873 and 1882.Rigley was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, the son of John Rigley and his wife Ann. His father was a blacksmith and moved to Somercotes, Derbyshire. Rigley also became a blacksmith...
||R M || 24 || 10 ||2|| 2-10 ||5.00
|-
| S Richardson
Samuel Richardson (cricketer)
Samuel Richardson was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1878 and captained the side from 1871 to 1875. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871 when he was captain and wicket-keeper...
|| || 56 ||43|| 1 ||1-43 || 43.00
|-
| W Hickton
William Hickton (cricketer, born 1842)
William Hickton was an English cricketer who played for Lancashire between 1867 and 1871 and for Derbyshire between 1871 and 1878. He was a member of the team that played Derbyshire's first match in May 1871....
|| R F || 96 ||48|| 1|| 1-48 || 48.00
|-
| J Flint
Joseph Flint
Joseph Flint was an English cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1872 and 1879.Flint was born at Wirksworth, Derbyshire, the son of James Flint, a lead miner, and his wife Elizabeth....
|| R Sl (round arm)|| 64 ||28|| 1 ||1-28|| 28.00
|-
|}