This is a list of cricketers who played for Norfolk cricket teams in first-class cricket matches. Norfolk teams played six matches which have been classified as first-class cricket during the early 19th century.[1] A total of 32 men played in the six matches for Norfolk, with three, the Pilch brothers, playing in all six.
The first match in which a Norfolk team took place which is considered first-class took place against MCC at Lord's in 1820.[a] It is generally accepted that the match was actually organised by Holt Cricket Club with three guest players - E. H. Budd, Felix Ladbroke and Thomas Vigne - added to the side.[b][4] This was one of only five matches which took place in 1820 to have been retrospectively given first-class status.[5]William Ward, playing for MCC, scored 278 runs in the first innings of the match, batting over three days. This score has generally been considered to be the first double-century scored in first-class cricket.[c] Ward's score was not beaten in a first-class game until WG Grace scored 344 runs in an innings in 1876.[6][7]
The remaining five matches were played between 1833 and 1836, after the formation of the original Norfolk County Club in 1826 or 1827.[d][10][8] All five were against Yorkshire sides, essentially teams organised by Sheffield Cricket Club.[e][12] One match took place in 1833 at Hyde Park, Sheffield, with two being played in both 1834 and 1836, on both occasions with one match was played at Sheffield and one at the New Ground in Norwich.[9] Norfolk regularly played matches against other teams with first-class status throughout the 1830s and 1840s, including MCC and the Cambridge Town Club, but none of these matches have been awarded first-class status.[f] The County Club had largely ceased to operate by 1848, although matches continued to be played using the name Norfolk.[13][14][15]
Played in both of the 1836 matches against Yorkshire XIs, his only first-class matches. Played other matches for Norfolk teams between 1846 and 1850 and for Swaffham and King's Lynn. Twin brother of William Bagge.
Played alongside his twin Richard in the two 1836 matches and in 1839 played twice for MCC in two other first-class matches. Was elected MP for West Norfolk in 1837.
An "accomplished all-rounder" who played for a variety of sides in first-class matches between 1804 and 1831, Budd played in the 1820 match at Lord's as a guest player in his only match for a Norfolk side.
Made seven appearances in first-class matches, four of which were for Norfolk. A Hindringham man, he played other matches for the county between 1842 and 1845.
A clergyman at Antingham and Thorpe Market, Dolphin played for Norfolk sides between 1828 and 1842, making his only first-class appearance for the county in the first of the 1834 matches. He played in a total of six first-class matches, four for Cambridge University between 1825 and 1827 and the other for an England side against Kent later in 1834.
Is only recorded in a single match, playing against MCC in 1820. Frost is known to have been christened at North Elmham in 1820 but no other biographical details are known.
After playing at Lord's for Norfolk, Gurdon made a second first-class appearance for Cambridge University in 1822 and is known to have played other matches for Norwich and Norfolk sides. His brothers Edward and William Gurdon both played matches for Norfolk sides, with William making one first-class appearance for Cambridge University in 1825.
Played just one first-class match, although Hawkes is also known to have played one other match for the county in 1843. Other than a surname, no biographical details are known.
Is only known to have made a single first-class appearance, batting at number 11 and not scoring in his only innings during which he was out hit wicket. Other than a surname, no biographical details are known.
Played in 41 first-class matches for a range of sides. After having played twice for Suffolk in 1830, Knatchbull was appointed the vicar of North Elmham in 1833, working in the parish until 1867. During this period he played in both of the first-class matches in Norwich. He played other matches for the county side as well as for sides including Swaffham, Blickling and Holkham during his time in the county.
Played in five first-class matches, including both of Suffolk's 1830 first-class matches and once for Norfolk. Played for the Norfolk and Norwich club as well as for Bury St Edmunds.
One of the leading batsmen of his time, Pilch, who was from Horningtoft, played in all six of Norfolk's first-class matches, making his debut in the 1820 match aged 17. Pilch scored the only century made for Norfolk in first-class cricket, scoring 153 not out in the 1834 match at Sheffield. Operated the New Ground in Norwich during the early 1830s with his brother William. In total he played in 229 first-class matches for a number of sides, most frequently for Kent.
Played in all six of Norfolk's first-class matches alongside his brothers Fuller and William Pilch. Unlike his brothers he did not play for sides outside of Norfolk.
Made all of his four first-class appearances for Norfolk as well as playing matches against Suffolk for the county and for the Norfolk and Norwich club.
^The number of first-class matches played for Norfolk sides.
^The seasons during which the player appeared for Norfolk in first-class matches.
^Cricket had been played in Norfolk since the 1730s[2] and a side first played using the name Norfolk in 1797, with 33 players taking on an All England XI at Swaffham.[3]
^It was common practice at the time for sides to add guests or given men to their regular players for matches. In this case all three more usually played for MCC and it is assumed were added to the Norfolk side to strengthen it.
^The Norfolk side, even with the three guest players, is considered to have been weak and was beaten by 417 runs. Ward's innings may well be the major reason that the match has been retrospectively classified as first-class.[4][6][7]
^Although played after the formation of the first County Club, the matches were not played by it. The club was an amateur organisation created for gentlemen cricketers. The five matches included professional cricketers such as the Pilch brothers who would have been excluded from membership of the County Club.[8][9]
^Sheffield were the dominant side in Yorkshire at the time and played first-class matches in their own right. The Sheffield papers referred to the side as Sheffield rather than Yorkshire, although officially it is considered a Yorkshire side, possibly because they were playing another county. For example, in 1833 nine of the Yorkshire players were from Sheffield.[11]
^First-class status was first defined in 1895. Matches prior to this date have sometimes been accorded first-class status when they are deemed to have been played between two sides of an appropriate standard.
^CricInfo splits the appearances between two players, one known only as Bird who played in the Norfolk match. CricketArchive credits all three appearances to the same man who later lived in Norfolk.