John Crossland
Encyclopedia
John "Jack" Crossland was an English professional cricketer who played for Lancashire
between 1878 and 1887.
He was a right-arm fast bowler of great renown but even greater controversy. Like his celebrated contemporary Johnny Briggs
, Crossland was born in Nottinghamshire but later moved to Lancashire.
Crossland was one of the fastest bowlers of his day, but he was strongly suspected of throwing the ball1. In 1882, Billy Murdoch
, captain of the Australian tourists, announced that several English bowlers would be no-balled if they ever came to play in Australia. Another who felt very strongly about the matter was Lord Harris, who chaired the selection panel for England's Test side that year. With Fred Morley
injured, Crossland was considered well worthy of a place in the line-up, but he had no chance with Harris in charge.
WG Grace, however, tried to have Crossland selected for England.Other Lancashire bowlers of his era suspected of throwing were Nash and Arthur Mold
.
Crossland played on nevertheless for Lancashire through 1882 and 1883, being no-balled for throwing at last in the latter season -- but only in local cricket; indeed, no umpire ever called him a first-class match. In 1885, Harris wrote to Lancashire to inform them his Kent team would not play them if Crossland or George Nash
were selected. This was a severe blow to the Red Rose men, as Notts had already declined to play them before on the grounds that Crossland, Nottinghamshire-born, was not qualified for Lancashire. Middlesex had taken similar action.
Crossland's career ended in controversy when it was discovered that he had spent several months in 1884 living in Nottinghamshire, thereby breaking his residency qualification for Lancashire. The MCC ruled that he was not, therefore, qualified. It was a technicality which writer David Frith
compared to convicting Al Capone of tax evasion. Crossland was immediately dropped, and Nash went, too, at the end of the season.
"The Fast Men" by David Frith
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
between 1878 and 1887.
He was a right-arm fast bowler of great renown but even greater controversy. Like his celebrated contemporary Johnny Briggs
Johnny Briggs (cricketer)
Johnny Briggs was a left arm spin bowler for Lancashire County Cricket Club between 1879 and 1900 who still stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in the county's history after Brian Statham...
, Crossland was born in Nottinghamshire but later moved to Lancashire.
Crossland was one of the fastest bowlers of his day, but he was strongly suspected of throwing the ball1. In 1882, Billy Murdoch
Billy Murdoch
William Lloyd Murdoch was an Australian cricketer, who captained the Australian team on tours to England in 1880, 1882 , 1884 and 1890...
, captain of the Australian tourists, announced that several English bowlers would be no-balled if they ever came to play in Australia. Another who felt very strongly about the matter was Lord Harris, who chaired the selection panel for England's Test side that year. With Fred Morley
Fred Morley
Frederick Morley was a professional cricketer who was reckoned to be the fastest bowler in England during his prime...
injured, Crossland was considered well worthy of a place in the line-up, but he had no chance with Harris in charge.
WG Grace, however, tried to have Crossland selected for England.Other Lancashire bowlers of his era suspected of throwing were Nash and Arthur Mold
Arthur Mold
Arthur Webb Mold was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket for Lancashire County Cricket Club between 1889 and 1901. He played three Test matches for England in 1893 and was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1892. A fast bowler, he was one of the most effective bowlers...
.
Crossland played on nevertheless for Lancashire through 1882 and 1883, being no-balled for throwing at last in the latter season -- but only in local cricket; indeed, no umpire ever called him a first-class match. In 1885, Harris wrote to Lancashire to inform them his Kent team would not play them if Crossland or George Nash
George Nash (cricketer)
George Nash was an English professional cricketer during the 1880s. Nash played as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler for Lancashire, and later in Minor Counties cricket for his native Buckinghamshire.-Life and career:...
were selected. This was a severe blow to the Red Rose men, as Notts had already declined to play them before on the grounds that Crossland, Nottinghamshire-born, was not qualified for Lancashire. Middlesex had taken similar action.
Crossland's career ended in controversy when it was discovered that he had spent several months in 1884 living in Nottinghamshire, thereby breaking his residency qualification for Lancashire. The MCC ruled that he was not, therefore, qualified. It was a technicality which writer David Frith
David Frith
David Edward John Frith is a leading cricket writer and historian. Cricinfo describes him as "an author, historian, and founding editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly".-Life and career:...
compared to convicting Al Capone of tax evasion. Crossland was immediately dropped, and Nash went, too, at the end of the season.
See also
1 History of Test cricket (1884 to 1889)History of Test cricket (1884 to 1889)
The history of Test cricket between 1884 and 1889 was one of English dominance over the Australians. England won every Test series that was played. The period also saw the first use of the word "Test" to describe a form of cricket when the Press used it in 1885...
"The Fast Men" by David Frith
David Frith
David Edward John Frith is a leading cricket writer and historian. Cricinfo describes him as "an author, historian, and founding editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly".-Life and career:...
External links
- Cricinfo - Players and Officials - John Crossland at content-uk.cricinfo.com
- Ashfield District Council: Sutton-in-Ashfield Cricketers at www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk