Will Jefferson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Ingleby Jefferson (born October 25, 1979) is a professional cricketer who played for Essex County Cricket Club until 2006, and has joined Nottinghamshire for the 2007 season. Standing about 6 foot 10 inches (2.08 m) tall,[1] he is the tallest player in county cricket, and among the tallest professional cricketers ever.[2]
Jefferson is a right-handed opening batsman and a reliable slip fielder. He was born in Derby to a cricketing family; his father Richard Jefferson played first-class cricket for Surrey. He showed his promise at Oundle School and Durham University, and made his first-class debut for British Universities against the touring Zimbabweans in 2000.
His first full season at Essex was 2002, during which he scored 815 first-class runs; his 165 not out in the final match of the season[3] made a major contribution to Essex winning the second division of the County Championship.
His best season so far was 2004, in which he scored 1555 first-class runs at an average of 55.53 with 6 centuries including a high score of 222.[4] In 2005, a slump in form saw him relegated to the Essex Second XI, but he responded with 303 not out against MCC Young Cricketers,[5] and regained his place in the first team.
Before the start of the 2006 season, he suffered a freak accident, cutting his left wrist whilst trying to open a window, and severing the tendons.[6] After recovering from this injury, he failed to regain a regular place in the Essex side, and left the county by mutual consent in August 2006.[7] In September of that year, he signed a three-year contract with Nottinghamshire.[8]
In January 2007, he was selected for the England A team to tour Bangladesh in February and March.[9][10]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Sources differ as to his height. Cricinfo gives 6 ft 9½ in, the ECB and many other sources give 6 ft 10 in, and Essex County Cricket Club gives 6 ft 10½ in. (Final reference retrieved 16 April 2006, no longer present as of 29 August 2006).
- ^ Paul Dunkels who represented Sussex and Warwickshire is also reputed to be 6 foot 10 inches tall (Cricinfo Profile). The height of Anthony Allom of Surrey is recorded as between 6 foot 9 inches and 6 foot 10 inches (Cricinfo Profile)
- ^ Essex vs Nottinghamshire, 18–21 September 2002 from CricketArchive
- ^ Jefferson's first-class batting averages by season from CricketArchive
- ^ Essex Second XI v Marylebone Cricket Club Young Cricketers, 10–12 August 2005 from CricketArchive
- ^ Jefferson suffers freak injury from Cricinfo
- ^ Press release from Essex County Cricket Club
- ^ Press release from Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
- ^ Press release from the ECB
- ^ Press release from Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
[edit] References
- Player Profile: Will Jefferson from Cricinfo
- William Jefferson from CricketArchive
- Will Jefferson from Essex County Cricket Club. (Reference retrieved 16 April 2006, no longer present as of 29 August 2006).
- Will Jefferson from the ECB
- Essex boy on natural high from Evening Standard
- Getting to Know: Will Jefferson from World A-Team
