J Martin (Essex cricketer)
Encyclopedia
J Martin refers to a noted English cricket
er of the late 18th century who played mainly for Essex
. His dates of birth and death and his first name are unknown. He was principally a bowler but we do not know his pace or type.
Martin was active from at least the 1781 season
until he is last recorded in 1793. His known first-class record covers 12 matches. He seems to have been involved with the White Conduit Club
and then with Marylebone Cricket Club
, so he was probably a professional ground staff bowler at both clubs.
Until the works of Samuel Britcher came to light in recent times, Martin's initial was unknown but a 1790 scorecard in Britcher confirms that he was J Martin.
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 of the late 18th century who played mainly for Essex
Essex county cricket teams
Essex county cricket teams have been traced back to the 18th century but the county's involvement in cricket goes back much further than that. It is almost certain that cricket reached Essex by the 16th century and that it developed during the 17th century with inter-parish matches being...
. His dates of birth and death and his first name are unknown. He was principally a bowler but we do not know his pace or type.
Martin was active from at least the 1781 season
1781 English cricket season
The 1781 English cricket season saw the end of Broadhalfpenny Down and the beginning of cricket in Lancashire.-Matches:-Other events:A match on Brinnington Moor in August is the earliest known reference about cricket being played in Lancashire...
until he is last recorded in 1793. His known first-class record covers 12 matches. He seems to have been involved with the White Conduit Club
White Conduit Club
The White Conduit Club, although short-lived, was perhaps the most significant club in cricket history for it bridged the gulf between the rural and rustic Hambledon era and the new, modern and metropolitan era of MCC and Lord's, the two entities that it spawned.We do not know for certain when the...
and then with 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...
, so he was probably a professional ground staff bowler at both clubs.
Until the works of Samuel Britcher came to light in recent times, Martin's initial was unknown but a 1790 scorecard in Britcher confirms that he was J Martin.