Harry Pickett

Henry "Harry" Pickett (26 March 1862 – 3 October 1907) was an English cricketer who represented Essex for 17 years although only the last four were at first-class level. A fast bowler he was 'powerfully built' and 'bowled with a high arm'.[1] His most significant performance came in 1895 when he took all ten Leicestershire wickets for 32 runs.[2] These are the best innings figures recorded by an Essex bowler,[3] the fourth best in the County Championship,[4] and the ninth best in first-class cricket.[5]

Harry Pickett
Personal information
Full nameHenry Pickett
Born(1862-03-16)16 March 1862
Stratford, London, England
Died3 October 1907(1907-10-03) (aged 45)
Aberavon, Glamorgan, Wales
BattingRight-hand
BowlingRight-arm fast
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1884–1898Marylebone
1894–1897Essex
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 62
Runs scored 450
Batting average 8.03
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 35
Balls bowled 7271
Wickets 134
Bowling average 24.39
5 wickets in innings 4
10 wickets in match 1
Best bowling 10/32
Catches/stumpings 25/
Source: Cricket archive, 14 July 2012

Born in Stratford, Pickett first played for Essex in 1881 but it would be 13 years before the county was awarded first-class status. In the intervening period he did make several first-class appearances for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the first in 1884 against Sussex.[6] He played in Essex's first ever first-class match in 1894 but struggled in that first season taking 11 wickets at an average of 31.09.[7] The following season, Essex's first season in the County Championship, was more successful. He took 66 wickets, at 17.72, including the 10/32 against Leicestershire as well as five-fors in wins against Somerset and Hampshire.[7][8] Over the next two seasons he took 50 wickets at around 30.[7] He didn't play again for Essex following his benefit season in 1897, he played one match for the MCC in 1898 before two seasons of umpiring.[8][9] Following the end of his playing career he also coached at Clifton College.[10]

Pickett disappeared on 27 September 1907 and a week later was found washed ashore on Aberavon beach.[10] His death is listed as suicide.[1]

References
  1. Frith, David (1975). The Fast Men. London: Transworld Publishers. p. 109. ISBN 0-552-10435-3.
  2. Essex v Leicestershire, County Championship 1895, CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  3. Most Wickets in an Innings for Essex, CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  4. Most Wickets in an Innings in County Championship, CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  5. Nine or More Wickets in an Innings in First-Class Cricket, CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  6. Marylebone Cricket Club v Sussex, Other First-Class matches in England 1884, CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  7. First-class Bowling in Each Season by Harry Pickett, CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  8. Player Oracle: H Pickett, CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  9. Harry Pickett as Umpire in First-Class Matches (34), CricketArchive, Retrieved 17 September 2009
  10. Obituaries in 1907, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, Retrieved 17 September 2009
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