The Bs
Encyclopedia
The Bs was an occasional team that played first-class cricket
in the first half of the 19th century in matches against All-England
and Marylebone Cricket Club
(MCC). The team ostensibly consisted of players whose surname began with the letter B given that there were numerous top-class players at that time who qualified: e.g., William Beldham, Lord Frederick Beauclerk
and Jem Broadbridge
. However, there were instances of the team including "given men". The Bs is first recorded in the 1805 season and the team was raised sporadically until the 1832 season.
The Bs achieved unwanted fame in June 1810 when they played All-England at Lord's Old Ground
and were dismissed for only 6 in their second innings, enabling All-England to win the match by 6 wickets. This is the world record for the lowest innings total in first-class cricket. Curiously, four of the six runs were scored by John Wells
and another one was scored by James Lawrell
, these being the two given men as only nine Bs could take part. The only B to score a run was Samuel Bridger
.
Despite the 1810 setback, the Bs had a reasonable record and defeated All-England in 1805, 1822, 1823 and 1824.
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...
in the first half of the 19th century in matches against All-England
All-England Eleven
In cricket, the term All-England has been used for various non-international teams that have been formed for short-term purposes since the 1739 English cricket season and it indicates that the "Rest of England" is playing against, say, MCC or an individual county team...
and Marylebone Cricket Club
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...
(MCC). The team ostensibly consisted of players whose surname began with the letter B given that there were numerous top-class players at that time who qualified: e.g., William Beldham, Lord Frederick Beauclerk
Lord Frederick Beauclerk
Lord Frederick Beauclerk was an outstanding but controversial English first-class cricketer for 35 years from 1791 to 1825. On his retirement, he served as president of Marylebone Cricket Club in 1826.Beauclerk was the fourth son of the 5th Duke of St Albans and became a clergyman. He was Vicar...
and Jem Broadbridge
Jem Broadbridge
James "Jem" Broadbridge was an English professional cricketer who is widely accounted the outstanding all-rounder in England during the 1820s. He is best remembered for his part in the introduction of roundarm bowling...
. However, there were instances of the team including "given men". The Bs is first recorded in the 1805 season and the team was raised sporadically until the 1832 season.
The Bs achieved unwanted fame in June 1810 when they played All-England at Lord's Old Ground
Lord's Old Ground
Lord's Old Ground was a cricket venue in London that was established by Thomas Lord in 1787. It was used mainly by Marylebone Cricket Club for major cricket matches until 1810, after which a dispute about rent caused Lord to relocate.-Matches:...
and were dismissed for only 6 in their second innings, enabling All-England to win the match by 6 wickets. This is the world record for the lowest innings total in first-class cricket. Curiously, four of the six runs were scored by John Wells
John Wells (cricketer)
John Wells was a famous English cricketer who played for Surrey.-Career:...
and another one was scored by James Lawrell
James Lawrell
James Lawrell was an English amateur cricketer who made 21 known appearances in major cricket matches from 1800 to 1810.-External sources:*...
, these being the two given men as only nine Bs could take part. The only B to score a run was Samuel Bridger
Samuel Bridger
Samuel Bridger was an English professional cricketer.-Career:He was mainly associated with Surrey and he made 21 known appearances in first-class matches from 1804 to 1825 .-External sources:...
.
Despite the 1810 setback, the Bs had a reasonable record and defeated All-England in 1805, 1822, 1823 and 1824.
External links
Further reading
- H S AlthamHarry AlthamHarry Surtees Altham, CBE, DSO, MC was an English cricketer who became an important figure in the game as an administrator, historian and coach. His Wisden obituary described him as "among the best known personalities in the world of cricket"...
, A History of Cricket, Volume 1 (to 1914), George Allen & Unwin, 1962 - Derek BirleyDerek BirleySir Derek Birley was an English educator and writer who had a strong interest in sport, especially cricket.He was educated at grammar school in Hemsworth, West Yorkshire, and at Queens' College, Cambridge University....
, A Social History of English Cricket, Aurum, 1999 - Rowland BowenRowland BowenMajor Rowland Francis Bowen was a cricket researcher, historian and writer....
, Cricket: A History of its Growth and Development, Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1970 - G B Buckley, Fresh Light on Pre-Victorian Cricket, Cotterell, 1937
- Arthur HaygarthArthur HaygarthArthur Haygarth was a noted amateur cricketer who became one of cricket's most significant historians....
, Scores & Biographies, Volumes 1-2 (1744-1840), Lillywhite, 1862