Robert Colchin

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Robert "Long Robin" Colchin (born in 1713 at Chailey in Sussex; died at Bromley in April 1750) was a famous and highly influential English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period at a time when the single wicket version of the game was popular. Colchin was an accomplished single wicket performer [1].

Colchin lived in Bromley for several years and was associated with the local Bromley Cricket Club, which was prominent through the 1740s and declined after his untimely death. In addition to his prowess as a single wicket player, Colchin played for Kent in major eleven-a-side matches including the famous match against All-England at the Artillery Ground in 1744 [2].

Colchin had strong associations with the Artillery Ground and is known to have promoted many matches there [3].

Away from cricket, Colchin chose to lead a shadowy existence among "low company" and was believed to be something of an underworld figure. His dubious lifestyle may have contributed to his early demise [4].

[edit] References

  1. ^ G B Buckley, Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket, Cotterell, 1935 – see also Further Reading list
  2. ^ Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 (1744-1826), Lillywhite, 1862
  3. ^ F S Ashley-Cooper, At the Sign of the Wicket: Cricket 1742-1751, Cricket Magazine, 1900
  4. ^ From Lads to Lord's – biography of Robert Colchin

[edit] Further reading