Arthur Ridley

Arthur William Ridley (11 September 1852 – 10 August 1916) was an English cricketer. Ridley was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm underarm medium pace, who also played occasionally as a wicketkeeper.

Ridley was educated at Eton College, where he represented the college cricket team from 1870 to 1872. Ridley was later educated at Christ Church College, Oxford.

Ridley made his first-class debut for Oxford University in 1872 against the Marylebone Cricket Club. Ridley represented the University in 18 first-class matches from 1872 to 1875, with his final match for the University coming against Cambridge University at Lord's. In his 18 matches for the University Ridley scored 459 runs at a batting average of 18.36, with two half centuries and a high score of 81 against the Gentlemen of England in 1874. With the ball Ridley took 63 wickets at a bowling average of 13.31, with three five wicket hauls and best figures of 6/80 against the Marylebone Cricket Club. In the field he took 23 catches for the University. Ridley captained the University in 1875 and was awarded and Oxford Blue for his performances for the University.

In 1873 Ridley played his first match for the Gentlemen in the Gentlemen v Players match. Ridley would go onto play in 14 of the fixtures up to 1883. In his 14 matches he scored 491 runs at an average of 24.55, with three half centuries and a single century score of 103 in the 1876 fixture. With the ball Ridley took 19 wickets at an average of 27.63, with best figures of 4/41. Ridley took 14 catches for the Gentlemen in the field.

In 1875 Ridley made his debut for Hampshire against Sussex. Ridley represented Hampshire in 10 first-class matches, with his final first-class match for Hampshire coming against the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1878. In his 10 appearances for Hampshire, Ridley scored 558 runs at an average of 29.36, with three half centuries and a single century high score of 104 against Kent in 1876. With the ball he took 68 wickets at an average of 13.26, with ten five wicket hauls, four ten wicket hauls in a match and best figures of 7/46 against Derbyshire in 1877. In the field he took 4 catches for the county.

In 1875 Ridley also made his debut for the Marylebone Cricket Club against Nottinghamshire at Lord's. Ridley played 14 first-class matches for the, with his final appearance for the club coming in 1882 against Cambridge University. In his 14 matches for the club Ridley scored 329 runs at an average of 13.16, with a high score of 47. With the ball he took 21 wickets at an average of 11.09, with three five wicket hauls, a single ten wicket haul in a match and best figures of 6/45 against Oxford University.

While playing for Hampshire, Ridley also represented Kent in a single first-class match against England in 1877.

In 1882 Ridley made his debut for Middlesex against Surrey. Ridley played 16 first-class matches for the county from 1882 to 1885, with his final match for the county coming against Yorkshire. In his 16 matches for Middlesex, Ridley scored 527 runs at an average of 20.26, with two half centuries and a single century score of 136 against Surrey in 1883. With the ball Ridley took 7 wickets at an average of 25.85, with best figures of 2-21.

As well as representing the above teams in first-class cricket, Ridley also represented the Gentlemen of England in 5 first-class matches, with a high score of 105*. Ridley additionally represented AW Ridley's XI, England, Gentlemen of Marylebone Cricket Club, I Zingari, the Orleans Club, South of England and the Under 30s team in first-class matches.

In Ridley's overall first-class career he scored 3,150 runs at an average of 20.19, with 11 half centuries, four centuries and a high score of 136. With the ball he took 224 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 15.06, with 19 five wicket hauls, four ten wicket hauls in a match and best figures of 7/21. In the field Ridley took 79 catches and made 2 stumpings.

Ridley died suddenly at Westminster, London on August 10, 1916.

Family

Ridley's brother Alfred Ridley and son-in-law Philip Pearson-Gregory both played first-class cricket.

External links

• Arthur Ridley at Cricinfo
• Arthur Ridley at CricketArchive
• Matches and detailed statistics for Arthur Ridley