Professional Cricketer. Born at Brighton, the son of a builder who died when the boy was in his teens, Wisden began his cricket career whilst helping the wicket-keeper, Tom Box, to run his pub. He made his debut for Sussex aged only eighteen, and went on to average ten wickets a game. In the second innings of the South v North game at Lord's in 1850, he clean-bowled all ten wickets. His greatest achievements as a batsman were in 1850, when he scored 100 against Kent at Tunbridge Wells, and in 1855, when he scored 148 against Yorkshire at Bramall lane in Sheffield; this was the only century that season. In 1859, he was co-organiser, with George Parr of Nottingham, of the first-ever English overseas tour, which visited Canada and the United States. He was forced to stop playing cricket in 1863, due to rheumatism; but, the following year, he founded the Wisden Cricketer's Almanac, which continues to be published every year. His grave remained unmarked for a century after his death from cancer; but, on the 5th. April 1984, a marker was placed there.
Professional Cricketer. Born at Brighton, the son of a builder who died when the boy was in his teens, Wisden began his cricket career whilst helping the wicket-keeper, Tom Box, to run his pub. He made his debut for Sussex aged only eighteen, and went on to average ten wickets a game. In the second innings of the South v North game at Lord's in 1850, he clean-bowled all ten wickets. His greatest achievements as a batsman were in 1850, when he scored 100 against Kent at Tunbridge Wells, and in 1855, when he scored 148 against Yorkshire at Bramall lane in Sheffield; this was the only century that season. In 1859, he was co-organiser, with George Parr of Nottingham, of the first-ever English overseas tour, which visited Canada and the United States. He was forced to stop playing cricket in 1863, due to rheumatism; but, the following year, he founded the Wisden Cricketer's Almanac, which continues to be published every year. His grave remained unmarked for a century after his death from cancer; but, on the 5th. April 1984, a marker was placed there.
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
Advertisement
