Frank Shipston

Frank William Shipston (29 July 1906 – 6 July 2005) was an English cricketer. Born in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, Shipston's father (also Frank Shipston) had played several matches for the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in the Second XI Championship.[1] Shipston made his first-class debut for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in the final round of the 1925 English cricket season, having previously only played at second XI level.[2] Prior to debuting, he had worked as a miner in Yorkshire and at Langworth in Lincolnshire, as well as on Nottinghamshire's groundstaff.[3] He was a regular player at county level until the end of the 1933 season, when he joined the Nottinghamshire Police at the urging of Captain Popkess, who wanted ex-professional cricketers to boost the police cricket team.[4]

Frank Shipston

Personal information
Full name	Frank William Shipston
Born	29 July 1906 Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, England
Died	6 July 2005 (aged 98) Wollaton, Nottinghamshire, England
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm off-break
Role	Batsman
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1925–1933	Nottinghamshire
Umpiring information
FC umpired	27 (1956–1969)
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 49 Runs scored 1183 Batting average 18.48 100s/50s 2/4 Top score 118* Catches/stumpings 13/-
Source: CricketArchive, 7 December 2011

Overall, Shipston played 49 first-class matches, all for Nottinghamshire, scoring 1,183 runs at an average of 18.48.[5] His highest first-class score, 118 not out, was achieved against Hampshire during the 1932 season, a match which Nottinghamshire won by an innings and 53 runs.[6] Shipston was a close friend of Harold Larwood during his cricket career, with the two rooming together when Nottinghamshire played away from home.[3] From the 1950s, Shipston occasionally umpired at county and second XI level, umpiring 24 first-class matches during the 1956 County Championship,[7] and continuing to umpire into the 1970s.[8][9] He also was employed by Nottinghamshire as a coach from 1957 to 1966.[3] On the death of Harry Forsyth in July 2004, Shipston became the oldest living first-class cricketer,[10] a position he held until his death in Wollaton in July 2005, when he was succeeded by Syd Ward.[4]

References

1. Frank Shipston – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
2. First-Class Matches played by Frank Shipston (49) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
3. Oldest ex-county cricketer dies at 98 – Nottingham Evening Post. Published 14 July 2005. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
4. World's oldest living first-class cricketer dies – ESPNcricinfo. Published 28 July 2005. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
5. Frank Shipston – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
6. Nottinghamshire v Hampshire, County Championship 1932 – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
7. Frank Shipston as Umpire in First-Class Matches (27) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
8. Frank Shipston as Umpire in Miscellaneous Matches (8) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
9. Frank Shipston as Umpire in Second Eleven Championship Matches (22) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
10. Ryan, Christian (2004). Ted Martin dies at 101 – ESPNcricinfo. Published 15 June 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2012.