Richard Newman (English cricketer)

Richard N Newman (dates unknown) was an English cricketer and match organiser who played batsman for Essex, Kent and All-England from the 1773 season to 1793. Richards first class debut came on 21 June 1773, While playing for Kent in a match against Surrey,a game which saw him playing alongside the Duke of Dorset. He was a leading amateur player and an early member of MCC. Richard Newman's greatest achievement in his career came on Thursday 31 May 1787 in the first ever game played at Lord's, between Middlesex and Essex, where Richard scored the first ever half century at Lord's, while batting for Essex.

Surprisingly little is known of Newman personally. He made 22 known first-class appearances. On 12 July 1793 Richard made his debut for England against Surrey, 10 days later Richard was called up again, this time however it was through default. Richard was selected by Surrey to play in a match against England, his teammate R.Robinson dropped out at this point Hammond of England decided to swap teams with Richard Newman, Hammond went on to Stump Richard out on both innings.In Richard's final season, he became a proveen fielder with 20 know catches in the 1793 season. Richard's final game came on 19 August 1793,in a match organised by himself between RN Newman's XI and R Leigh's XI.

References

• Firsts, Lasts and Onlys by Paul Donnelly
• Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket by G B Buckley (FL18)
• Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 by Arthur Haygarth (SBnnn)
• The Dawn of Cricket by H T Waghorn (WDC)