John Walker (Surrey cricketer)
Encyclopedia
John Walker was a noted professional cricket
er in the late 18th century. His career spanned the 1789 to 1806 seasons and he played mainly for Surrey
and various representative sides, including MCC
.
He was born in Churt, near Frensham
, Surrey
, and belonged to a cricketing family, his brothers being the more famous Tom
and Harry Walker
.
John Walker was a useful batsman who made either 50 or 51 known appearances in first-class cricket
matches. He has been credited with 682 runs in 98 innings with a highest score of 35. He has also been credited with 23 catches and 1 (bowled) wicket. His fielding statistics are made uncertain by scorecards stating "c Walker" when he was playing alongside one or both of his brothers. His appearances total depends on whether it was he or James Wells
who played for All-England against Hampshire in 1794: S&B records Wells but adds that Walker is included in another account. It is possible that Walker was selected and Wells stood in for him.
Walker continued to play in local cricket until his death which was caused by an accident on the field. He had tripped over a tuft of grass and ruptured himself. He died from complications nine days later, in Thursley, Surrey.
In Scores & Biographies, Arthur Haygarth states that Walker lived in Thursley for 41 years and was a grocer because he had confused him with the John Walker that created the Johnnie Walker whisky brand.
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...
er in the late 18th century. His career spanned the 1789 to 1806 seasons and he played mainly for Surrey
Surrey county cricket teams
Surrey county cricket teams have been traced back to the 17th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. The first definite mention of cricket anywhere in the world is dated c.1550 in Guildford.-17th century:...
and various representative sides, including MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
.
He was born in Churt, near Frensham
Frensham
Frensham is a village in Surrey, England, beside the A287, south west of Guildford. Neighbouring villages include Millbridge, Shortfield Common, Dockenfield, Spreakley, Batt's Corner and Rushmoor. Frensham lies on the River Wey. Farnham is the nearest main town and it is to the north. The...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, and belonged to a cricketing family, his brothers being the more famous Tom
Thomas Walker (cricketer)
Thomas "Tom" Walker was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire in the days of the Hambledon Club and later for Surrey. He was famous for his brilliant defensive batting. He is also credited with introducing, roundarm bowling, the predecessor of modern overarm bowling.-Career:Walker was born...
and Harry Walker
Harry Walker (cricketer)
Harry Walker was a noted English cricketer who played mainly for Surrey...
.
John Walker was a useful batsman who made either 50 or 51 known appearances in first-class cricket
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
matches. He has been credited with 682 runs in 98 innings with a highest score of 35. He has also been credited with 23 catches and 1 (bowled) wicket. His fielding statistics are made uncertain by scorecards stating "c Walker" when he was playing alongside one or both of his brothers. His appearances total depends on whether it was he or James Wells
James Wells (cricketer)
James Wells was an English cricketer. Wells was the brother of cricketer John Wells.Wells made his first-class debut for pre-county club Hampshire against an early England team...
who played for All-England against Hampshire in 1794: S&B records Wells but adds that Walker is included in another account. It is possible that Walker was selected and Wells stood in for him.
Walker continued to play in local cricket until his death which was caused by an accident on the field. He had tripped over a tuft of grass and ruptured himself. He died from complications nine days later, in Thursley, Surrey.
In Scores & Biographies, Arthur Haygarth states that Walker lived in Thursley for 41 years and was a grocer because he had confused him with the John Walker that created the Johnnie Walker whisky brand.
Further reading
- Arthur HaygarthArthur HaygarthArthur Haygarth was a noted amateur cricketer who became one of cricket's most significant historians....
, Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 (1744-1826), Lillywhite, 1862