Arthur Ridley
Arthur Ridley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Hollington, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 10 August 1916 (aged 63) Westminster, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Cricketer, brewery director |
| Years active | 1872–1885 (cricket) |
| Known for | First-class cricketer; one of the last great exponents of underarm lob bowling |
Arthur William Ridley (11 September 1852 – 10 August 1916) was a distinguished English first-class cricketer, recognized as one of the final prominent practitioners of underarm 'lob' bowling. As a versatile all-rounder, Ridley initiated his first-class cricket journey with Oxford University during his studies at Christ Church, Oxford. From 1872 to 1885, he represented various teams including Hampshire, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and Middlesex.
Over the course of 96 first-class matches, Ridley amassed 3,150 runs and claimed 224 wickets, securing nineteen instances of taking five wickets in an innings. Outside the cricket field, he held a directorial position at a brewery, which restricted his participation in regular first-class fixtures.
Early life and education
Born in September 1852 in Hollington, Hampshire to The Reverend Nicholas James Ridley, he received his education at Eton College, where he distinguished himself in both cricket and racquets. At Eton, Ridley notably achieved a century during the 1871 Eton v Harrow match at Lord's and earned titles as singles and doubles racquets champion. Following Eton, he matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford.
Ridley made his first-class debut for Oxford University in 1872 against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), participating in five matches that season and earning his blue by playing in The University Match. During the same year, he also appeared for the Gentlemen of the South and MCC. In 1873, Ridley took part in three matches for Oxford and featured in Gentlemen v Players contests. The following year, he played five times for Oxford alongside two additional Gentlemen v Players games.
As captain in 1875, Ridley led Oxford to triumph in the University Match, notably capturing the last three wickets with underarm lobs. Across eighteen first-class appearances for Oxford, he accumulated 459 runs at an average of 18.36 with a highest score of 81. His bowling efforts yielded 63 wickets averaging 13.31 runs each, including three five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6 for 80. That same year, he also represented the Gentlemen and MCC, finishing the season with matches at Canterbury Cricket Week.
Post-varsity cricket
Ridley made his Hampshire debut in 1875 facing Sussex at Hove. His most prolific season came in 1876 when he played eleven first-class matches, scoring 585 runs at an average of 36.56 with three centuries. He also took 53 wickets at an average of 13.30—his only season surpassing fifty wickets. A highlight included a match against Kent where he scored a half-century and multiple five-wicket hauls, featuring a century innings of 104 runs and ten wickets across the match. He continued representing Hampshire until 1878, accumulating 68 wickets at an average of 13.26 with ten five-wicket hauls and four matches yielding ten or more wickets.
Between 1878 and 1882, Ridley's appearances were primarily for the Gentlemen, MCC, and occasional sides such as I Zingari and his own personal eleven. In 1882, residing in Central London qualified him to play for Middlesex, where he featured in sixteen matches through to 1885 and scored 527 runs at an average of 20.26. His highest first-class score of 136 was recorded for Middlesex against Surrey in 1883.
Ridley participated fourteen times in the prestigious Gentlemen v Players series, scoring a total of 491 runs including one century while taking 19 wickets. For MCC appearances numbering fourteen, he accumulated 329 runs alongside claiming 21 wickets. Additionally, he played four times for the South team in North v South matches, achieving his best bowling figures of 7 for 21 during the 1877 season.
Regarded by Wisden as one of the finest all-rounders of his generation, Ridley completed a total of 96 first-class matches. The Times praised him as a "first-rate batsman," while W. G. Grace highlighted his effective driving facilitated by his six-foot frame. He compiled 3,150 runs at an average of 20.19 with four centuries to his name. Known as "one of the last great exponents of lob bowling," Ridley secured 224 wickets averaging just over fifteen runs each, including nineteen five-wicket innings and five ten-wicket matches overall. His outstanding fielding skills were often displayed at point position, contributing to a total of seventy-nine catches in first-class cricket.
In less formal matches, Ridley recorded two double-centuries playing for I Zingari during the years 1875 and 1881. Beyond active play, he served multiple terms on the MCC committee spanning from 1875–1882, then from 1884–1888, followed by another tenure from 1889–1893.
Family and Personal Life
Ridley's professional obligations significantly restricted his participation in first-class cricket. He held the position of director at the Cannon Brewery Company in London up until his passing. In 1882, he wed Adriana Elizabeth Newton, with whom he had five children: three daughters and two sons. Their eldest daughter, Vera Emily, became the wife of Bertram Francis Gurdon, 2nd Baron Cranworth, in 1903, while their second daughter, Marcia Emma, married Philip John Sherwin Pearson Gregory, a first-class cricketer, in 1911. Ridley passed away unexpectedly at his home on Eaton Place in Westminster on 10 August 1916. His funeral service took place on 14 August in Kingswood, Surrey. Additionally, his brother Alfred Ridley was also involved in first-class cricket, and their paternal great-grandfather was the politician Sir Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Baronet.