William Denison (cricketer)

William Denison (13 January 1801 – 9 March 1856) was involved in English cricket in the mid-19th century as a player, administrator and writer.

William Denison (fifth from left) and other members of William Clarke's All-England Eleven in 1847.

He was a member of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), for whom he played on a few occasions in important matches. Denison only played occasionally, his career spanning the 1832 to 1847 seasons but he only appeared eight times, scoring just 34 runs at 3.77 with a highest score of 12. He was more successful as a bowler and took 30 wickets at 12.41 with best figures of 6-72. He was apparently the first player brave enough to bowl roundarm slows in important matches, for which he acquired the nickname "Stick 'em up" Denison.[1]

Denison is best known for being the original secretary of Surrey County Cricket Club when it was founded in 1845. He stayed in the post, which was then honorary (i.e. unpaid), until 1848. He made one appearance for the club, in their inaugural first-class match against MCC in May, 1846.[2]

He was a writer who reported cricket for The Times in the 1840s and was also on the staff of the Sporting Magazine. He wrote a book called Cricket Sketches of the Players (1846) which reflected his involvement with the All-England Eleven. He also produced a publication called the Cricketer's Companion which appeared annually from 1844 to 1847.[3]

References
  1. Gordon Ross, A History of County Cricket: Surrey, Arthur Barker Ltd, 1971, ISBN 0-213-00390-2, p17.
  2. Scorecard of Surrey v MCC in 1846.
  3. David Lemmon, The History of Surrey County Cricket Club, Christopher Helm, 1989, ISBN 0-7470-2010-8, p17.
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