John Cutbush (cricketer)

John Cutbush (dates of birth and death unknown) from Maidstone was a famous English cricketer of the mid-18th century who played for Kent. By profession he was a clockmaker in Maidstone.

Cricket career

Cutbush must have begun playing in the 1730s, or earlier, when match details are scarce but by 1743, when he is first mentioned in contemporary reports, he is included among the six best players in England. This was when he took part in a "threes" contest at the Artillery Ground alongside his Kent colleagues William Hodsoll and Val Romney against Richard Newland, William Sawyer and John Bryant.^[1]

In 1744, Cutbush played for Kent in the famous match at the Artillery Ground which forms the first entry in Scores & Biographies. He was involved in the final partnership with Hodsoll, scoring 7* as Kent won by that one wicket.^[2]

Cutbush may have been a veteran by then because that is the last time he is recorded. There seems little doubt that he was a considerable player whose best years were behind him by the time reports of the matches became more informative.^[3]

References

External links

• From Lads to Lord's – biography of John Cutbush

Bibliography

• F S Ashley-Cooper, At the Sign of the Wicket: Cricket 1742–1751, Cricket Magazine, 1900
• Arthur Haygarth, Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 (1744–1826), Lillywhite, 1862