Bill Copson
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 England (ENG) |
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| Batting style | Right-hand bat | |
| Bowling type | Right-arm fast-medium | |
| Tests | First-class | |
| Matches | 3 | 279 |
| Runs scored | 6 | 1711 |
| Batting average | 6.00 | 6.81 |
| 100s/50s | -/- | -/- |
| Top score | 6 | 43 |
| Balls bowled | 762 | 50415 |
| Wickets | 15 | 1094 |
| Bowling average | 19.80 | 18.96 |
| 5 wickets in innings | 1 | 66 |
| 10 wickets in match | - | 6 |
| Best bowling | 5/85 | 8/11 |
| Catches/stumpings | 1/- | 103/- |
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Test debut: 24 June 1939 |
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William Henry Copson (born April 27, 1908 in Stonebroom, Derbyshire, died September 14, 1971 in Clay Cross, Derbyshire) was the spearhead of Derbyshire's sole County Championship victory in 1936 and arguably the best bowler Derbyshire produced during the twentieth century.
It is ironic, given his ability, that Copson took no interest in cricket prior to the 1926 General Strike. In his childhood he was a miner, but when the General Strike occurred Copson's ability as a bowler of considerable pace and exceptional straightness who made the batsmen play every ball was clearly revealed. Copson bowled for a number of years for the Clay Cross club in the Derbyshire League, and his success was such that Derbyshire engaged him in 1932.
His start in first-class cricket was sensational, for he dismissed Andy Sandham with his first ball, but his record for the rest of the season was moderate. However, in 1933, Copson became a regular member of the Derbyshire side, and, if he did not, in spite of his short run-up, possess the build to undertake as much work as fast bowlers were expected to then, he was consistently good in a summer unfavourable to bowlers. In the following two summers, Copson was so plagued by injury that there were serious worries about his long-term health, but when he did play he developed so well that he headed Derbyshire's averages in 1935 for a team that recorded more victories than any other Derbyshire side before or since.
Having been sent to Skegness to restore his health, he responded with a marvellous season in 1936. His 12 for 52 against the strong Surrey batting side on an admittedly damaged pitch was his finest feat, but Copson always bowled superbly and made the batsman play six balls out of six. In all, he took 140 wickets for less than 13 runs each in the Championship and was chosen for the Ashes tour at the end of the season. Though he headed the averages for all matches, Copson's body was not resilient enough for the timeless matches on rock-hard Australian pitches, and he did not play any of the Tests.
1937 saw more injury problems, but featured one of the most magnificent bowling feats in county cricket history when he took 8 for 11 - including the first performance in first-class cricket of five wickets with six consecutive balls - against Warwickshire on a pitch giving bowlers almost no help. Copson also took 8 for 64 against Sussex on a good pitch, and the following year took 103 wickets but could not dislodge Farnes and Bowes from the Test team. At last, Copson played his first Test against the West Indies in 1939 at Lord's and did not disappoint, taking nine wickets on a blameless pitch against the West Indies. He took 146 wickets that year, but World War II put paid to him being a regular Test bowler. By 1946, he had lost a yard of pace, and, if he could bowl straighter than anyone, he had not the venom of pre-war years. Copson did play one Test in 1947 with almost no success, but retired at 41 in 1949.
From 1958 to 1967 Copson was a first-class umpire but persistent health problems took so much toll that he died at the relatively young age of 63 in 1971. In all first-class matches Copson took 1094 wickets for less than 18 runs each, but was so poor a batsman he averaged less than seven runs for each dismissal.
