Roundarm trial matches
Encyclopedia
The roundarm trial matches were a series of cricket
matches between Sussex and All-England
during the 1827 English cricket season
. Their purpose was to help the MCC
, as the game's lawgivers, to decide if roundarm bowling
should be legalised or if the only legitimate style of bowling should be underarm
, which had been in use since time immemorial.
and Jem Broadbridge
of Sussex to bowl roundarm, while the All-England bowlers had to bowl underarm.
It was signed by Tom Marsden
, William Ashby
, William Mathews
, William Searle
, James Saunders
, Thomas Howard
, Will Caldecourt
, Fuller Pilch
and Thomas Beagley
. The declaration was later withdrawn and the third match was played at Brighton as planned. This time England won by 24 runs.
Match 2 – All-England v Sussex at Lord's Cricket Ground
(18 & 19 June 1827)
Match 3 – Sussex v All-England at Royal New Ground, Brighton (23, 24 & 25 July 1827)
Lillywhite and Broadbridge bowled roundarm again despite the opposition of some All-England players, but the All-England side itself used roundarm in this game as George T Knight was a supporter of it and subsequently did much to have it legalised.
to permit the bowler’s hand to be raised as high as the elbow.
In 1835, powerless to prevent the use of roundarm, MCC finally amended the Laws of Cricket to make it legal. The relevant part of the Law stated: "if the hand be above the shoulder in the delivery, the umpire must call No Ball." Bowlers' hands now started to go above the shoulder and the 1835 Law had to be reinforced in 1845 by removing benefit of the doubt from the bowler in the matter of his hand's height when delivering the ball.
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...
matches between Sussex and 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...
during the 1827 English cricket season
1827 English cricket season
The roundarm controversy came to a head before the 1827 English cricket season and MCC agreed to the staging of three trial matches between Sussex and All-England. Roundarm's supporters made the grandiose claim that their campaign was a march of intellect...
. Their purpose was to help the 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...
, as the game's lawgivers, to decide if roundarm bowling
Roundarm bowling
In cricket, roundarm bowling is a style that was introduced in the first quarter of the 19th century and had largely superseded underarm bowling by the 1830s. Using a roundarm action, the bowler has his arm extended at about 90 degrees from his body at the point where he releases the ball...
should be legalised or if the only legitimate style of bowling should be underarm
Underarm bowling
In cricket, underarm bowling is as old as the sport itself. Until the introduction of the roundarm style in the first half of the 19th century, bowling was performed in the same way as in bowls, the ball being delivered with the hand below the waist...
, which had been in use since time immemorial.
Conditions of play
The matches were also known as the "Experimental Matches". The conditions set for the matches allowed William LillywhiteWilliam Lillywhite
Frederick William Lillywhite was a famous English cricketer during the game's roundarm era...
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...
of Sussex to bowl roundarm, while the All-England bowlers had to bowl underarm.
Summary of series
Sussex won the first match at Sheffield against an all-professional All-England team by 7 wickets and the second at Lord's by 3 wickets. After the second match, the following declaration was made by some of the All-England players:"We, the undersigned, do agree that we will not play the third match between All-England and Sussex, which is intended to be played at Brighton in July or August unless the Sussex bowlers bowl fair – this is, abstain from throwing".
It was signed by Tom Marsden
Tom Marsden
Thomas Marsden was a famous English cricketer whose career spanned the 1826 to 1841 seasons....
, William Ashby
William Ashby
William Ashby was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He played mainly for Kent and was an outstanding slow bowler, probably underarm but he may have bowled roundarm in the later years of his career...
, William Mathews
William Mathews (cricketer)
William Mathews was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1821 to 1830...
, William Searle
William Searle
William Searle was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was right-handed as a bowler and a fielder but he batted left-handed. Searle played mainly for Surrey...
, James Saunders
James Saunders (cricketer)
James Saunders was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was a noted left-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper...
, Thomas Howard
Thomas Howard (cricketer)
Thomas Charles Howard was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1803 to 1828...
, Will Caldecourt
Will Caldecourt
William Henry Caldecourt was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1821 to 1844....
, Fuller Pilch
Fuller Pilch
Fuller Pilch was an English cricketer. Described as "the greatest batsman ever known until the appearance of W. G. Grace", the right-hand batting Pilch played 229 first class cricket matches between 1820 and 1854 for an assortment of counties, including Kent, Hampshire, Surrey and Surrey, as well...
and Thomas Beagley
Thomas Beagley
Thomas Beagley was an English professional cricketer. He had two brothers Henry and John who also played first-class cricket.-Career:...
. The declaration was later withdrawn and the third match was played at Brighton as planned. This time England won by 24 runs.
Match details
Match 1 – All-England v Sussex at Darnall New Ground, Sheffield (4, 5 & 6 June 1827)- All-England 81 (F Pilch 38; W Lillywhite 5w, J Broadbridge 2w) and 112 (T Marsden 22; J Broadbridge 5w, W Lillywhite 2w)
- Sussex 91 (J Dale 31*, G Meads 26; W Mathews 3w) and 103-3 (E Thwaites 37*)
- Sussex won by 7 wickets. Their first innings was saved by a 10th wicket partnership of at least 50 between Dale and Meads.
- All-England: Thomas FlavelThomas FlavelThomas Flavel was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1821 to 1828.An all-rounder who bowled and kept wicket, Flavel was mainly associated with Surrey...
, John BowyerJohn Bowyer (cricketer)John Bowyer was an English professional cricketer.-Career:He was mainly associated with Surrey and he made 18 known appearances in first-class matches from 1810 to 1828 ....
, James SaundersJames Saunders (cricketer)James Saunders was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was a noted left-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper...
, William BarberWilliam Barber (Yorkshire cricketer)William Barber was an English cricketer, who played first-class cricket from 1826 to 1828. He was mainly associated with Sheffield Cricket Club and made five known appearances in first-class matches....
, Tom MarsdenTom MarsdenThomas Marsden was a famous English cricketer whose career spanned the 1826 to 1841 seasons....
, Fuller PilchFuller PilchFuller Pilch was an English cricketer. Described as "the greatest batsman ever known until the appearance of W. G. Grace", the right-hand batting Pilch played 229 first class cricket matches between 1820 and 1854 for an assortment of counties, including Kent, Hampshire, Surrey and Surrey, as well...
, George DawsonGeorge Dawson (cricketer)George Edward Dawson was an English professional first-class cricketer, who played first-class cricket from 1827 to 1836...
, Thomas BeagleyThomas BeagleyThomas Beagley was an English professional cricketer. He had two brothers Henry and John who also played first-class cricket.-Career:...
, William MathewsWilliam Mathews (cricketer)William Mathews was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1821 to 1830...
, George JarvisGeorge JarvisGeorge Jarvis was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1826 to 1841. He was a brother of Charles Jarvis....
, Henry Jupp - Sussex: George BrownGeorge Brown (Sussex cricketer)George Brown was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1838....
, George MeadsGeorge MeadsGeorge Meads was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1836. He was mainly associated with Sussex and made 14 known appearances in first-class matches.-Bibliography:* Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 1-2 , Lillywhite, 1862...
, Thomas PierpointThomas PierpointThomas Pierpoint was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1827 to 1833. He was mainly associated with Sussex and made 9 known appearances in first-class matches.-Bibliography:* Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 2 , Lillywhite, 1862...
, Edward ThwaitesEdward Thwaites (cricketer)Edward Thwaites was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1837. He was mainly associated with Kent and Sussex...
, Jem BroadbridgeJem BroadbridgeJames "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...
, William Slater, William LillywhiteWilliam LillywhiteFrederick William Lillywhite was a famous English cricketer during the game's roundarm era...
, William BroadbridgeWilliam BroadbridgeWilliam Broadbridge was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1817 to 1830...
, James Dale, Charles DuffCharles Duff (cricketer)Charles Duff was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1824 to 1830.He played for Sussex and made 12 known appearances in first-class matches.-Further reading:...
, Charles PierpointCharles PierpointCharles Joseph Pierpoint was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1827. He was mainly associated with Sussex and made 4 known appearances in first-class matches.-Bibliography:* Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 1-2 , Lillywhite, 1862...
Match 2 – All-England v Sussex at Lord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the...
(18 & 19 June 1827)
- All-England 152 (W Ward 42, T Beagley 37; C Duff 3w, W Lillywhite 2w) and 60 (W Ward 20; J Broadbridge 3w)
- Sussex 96 (W Broadbridge 21; G T Knight 4w) and 117-7 (J Broadbridge 28)
- Sussex won by 3 wickets in two days, the match having been scheduled for three days.
- All-England: William MathewsWilliam Mathews (cricketer)William Mathews was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1821 to 1830...
, William SearleWilliam SearleWilliam Searle was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was right-handed as a bowler and a fielder but he batted left-handed. Searle played mainly for Surrey...
, James SaundersJames Saunders (cricketer)James Saunders was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was a noted left-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper...
, William WardWilliam Ward (cricketer)William Ward was a noted English cricketer. He came from an affluent family which owned property on the Isle of Wight. He was educated at Winchester College, and then received financial training in Antwerp.-Life and career:William Ward was a prominent right-handed batsman and an occasional slow...
, Tom MarsdenTom MarsdenThomas Marsden was a famous English cricketer whose career spanned the 1826 to 1841 seasons....
, Fuller PilchFuller PilchFuller Pilch was an English cricketer. Described as "the greatest batsman ever known until the appearance of W. G. Grace", the right-hand batting Pilch played 229 first class cricket matches between 1820 and 1854 for an assortment of counties, including Kent, Hampshire, Surrey and Surrey, as well...
, Thomas BeagleyThomas BeagleyThomas Beagley was an English professional cricketer. He had two brothers Henry and John who also played first-class cricket.-Career:...
, Henry KingscoteHenry KingscoteHenry Kingscote was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1844. He was mainly associated with Marylebone Cricket Club , of which he was a member. He made 33 known appearances in first-class matches including 8 for the Gentlemen from 1825 to 1834.-Biography:He...
, George T Knight, William AshbyWilliam AshbyWilliam Ashby was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He played mainly for Kent and was an outstanding slow bowler, probably underarm but he may have bowled roundarm in the later years of his career...
, Thomas HowardThomas Howard (cricketer)Thomas Charles Howard was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1803 to 1828... - Sussex: Richard CheslynRichard CheslynRichard Cheslyn was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1846. He was mainly associated with Sussex and Marylebone Cricket Club , of which he was a member...
, William Slater, Henry MorleyHenry Morley (cricketer)Henry Morley was an English cricketer who played for Sussex County from 1815 to 1838, and also played one match for Kent and Sussex in 1836....
, William BroadbridgeWilliam BroadbridgeWilliam Broadbridge was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1817 to 1830...
, Edward ThwaitesEdward ThwaitesEdward Thwaites was an English scholar of the Anglo-Saxon language. According to David C. Douglas he was "one of the most inspiring teachers which Oxford has ever produced".-Life:...
, Jem BroadbridgeJem BroadbridgeJames "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...
, George BrownGeorge Brown (Sussex cricketer)George Brown was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1838....
, Thomas PierpointThomas PierpointThomas Pierpoint was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1827 to 1833. He was mainly associated with Sussex and made 9 known appearances in first-class matches.-Bibliography:* Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 2 , Lillywhite, 1862...
, William LillywhiteWilliam LillywhiteFrederick William Lillywhite was a famous English cricketer during the game's roundarm era...
, Charles DuffCharles Duff (cricketer)Charles Duff was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1824 to 1830.He played for Sussex and made 12 known appearances in first-class matches.-Further reading:...
, James BakerJames Baker (cricketer)James Bray Baker was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1816 to 1828. He was mainly associated with Sussex and made 15 known appearances in first-class matches, including four matches for The Bs between 1817 and 1828...
Match 3 – Sussex v All-England at Royal New Ground, Brighton (23, 24 & 25 July 1827)
- All-England 27 (W Lillywhite 3w, J Broadbridge 2w) and 169 (J Saunders 44, H R Kingscore 31)
- Sussex 77 (G Brown 24; E H Budd 2w) and 95 E Thwaites 20, J Dale 20; G T Knight 2w)
- All-England won by 24 runs. An estimated 3,000 to 6,000 attended on each day.
- All-England: William SearleWilliam SearleWilliam Searle was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was right-handed as a bowler and a fielder but he batted left-handed. Searle played mainly for Surrey...
, James SaundersJames Saunders (cricketer)James Saunders was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was a noted left-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper...
, William WardWilliam Ward (cricketer)William Ward was a noted English cricketer. He came from an affluent family which owned property on the Isle of Wight. He was educated at Winchester College, and then received financial training in Antwerp.-Life and career:William Ward was a prominent right-handed batsman and an occasional slow...
, Tom MarsdenTom MarsdenThomas Marsden was a famous English cricketer whose career spanned the 1826 to 1841 seasons....
, Fuller PilchFuller PilchFuller Pilch was an English cricketer. Described as "the greatest batsman ever known until the appearance of W. G. Grace", the right-hand batting Pilch played 229 first class cricket matches between 1820 and 1854 for an assortment of counties, including Kent, Hampshire, Surrey and Surrey, as well...
, EH BuddEH BuddEdward Hayward Budd was a noted English cricketer and all-round sportsman. He was a prominent right-handed batsman and an occasional medium pace lob bowler...
, Thomas BeagleyThomas BeagleyThomas Beagley was an English professional cricketer. He had two brothers Henry and John who also played first-class cricket.-Career:...
, George T Knight, Henry KingscoteHenry KingscoteHenry Kingscote was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1844. He was mainly associated with Marylebone Cricket Club , of which he was a member. He made 33 known appearances in first-class matches including 8 for the Gentlemen from 1825 to 1834.-Biography:He...
, George OsbaldestonGeorge Osbaldeston"Squire" George Osbaldeston was an English sportsman and politician.Osbaldeston spent his childhood at Hutton Buscel, the family estate in Yorkshire...
, Richard MillsRichard Mills (cricketer)Richard Mills was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1843.... - Sussex: William Slater, Henry MorleyHenry Morley (cricketer)Henry Morley was an English cricketer who played for Sussex County from 1815 to 1838, and also played one match for Kent and Sussex in 1836....
, William BroadbridgeWilliam BroadbridgeWilliam Broadbridge was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1817 to 1830...
, Edward ThwaitesEdward ThwaitesEdward Thwaites was an English scholar of the Anglo-Saxon language. According to David C. Douglas he was "one of the most inspiring teachers which Oxford has ever produced".-Life:...
, Jem BroadbridgeJem BroadbridgeJames "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...
, George BrownGeorge Brown (Sussex cricketer)George Brown was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1819 to 1838....
, James Dale, Richard CheslynRichard CheslynRichard Cheslyn was an English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1846. He was mainly associated with Sussex and Marylebone Cricket Club , of which he was a member...
, James BakerJames Baker (cricketer)James Bray Baker was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1816 to 1828. He was mainly associated with Sussex and made 15 known appearances in first-class matches, including four matches for The Bs between 1817 and 1828...
, Charles LanawayCharles LanawayCharles Lanaway was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1838....
, William LillywhiteWilliam LillywhiteFrederick William Lillywhite was a famous English cricketer during the game's roundarm era...
Lillywhite and Broadbridge bowled roundarm again despite the opposition of some All-England players, but the All-England side itself used roundarm in this game as George T Knight was a supporter of it and subsequently did much to have it legalised.
Conclusion
The result of the "trial" was inconclusive and it was many years before roundarm was formally legalised. But, in practice, roundarm was adopted in 1827 as its practitioners, especially Broadbridge and Lillywhite, continued to use it with little, if any, opposition from the umpires.Aftermath
In 1828, MCC modified Rule 10 of the Laws of CricketLaws of cricket
The laws of cricket are a set of rules established by the Marylebone Cricket Club which describe the laws of cricket worldwide, to ensure uniformity and fairness. There are currently 42 laws, which outline all aspects of how the game is played from how a team wins a game, how a batsman is...
to permit the bowler’s hand to be raised as high as the elbow.
In 1835, powerless to prevent the use of roundarm, MCC finally amended the Laws of Cricket to make it legal. The relevant part of the Law stated: "if the hand be above the shoulder in the delivery, the umpire must call No Ball." Bowlers' hands now started to go above the shoulder and the 1835 Law had to be reinforced in 1845 by removing benefit of the doubt from the bowler in the matter of his hand's height when delivering the ball.