William Light (cricketer)

William Light
Personal information
Full name
William Frederick Light
Born1 March 1878
Winchester, Hampshire, England
Died10 November 1930(1930-11-10) (aged 52)
Exeter, Devon, England
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast
Slow left-arm orthodox
RelationsElisha Light (brother)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1897–1898Hampshire
1902–1928Devon
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 12
Runs scored 101
Batting average 5.94
100s/50s –/–
Top score 41
Balls bowled 695
Wickets 10
Bowling average 34.30
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling 3/32
Catches/stumpings 9/–
Source: Cricinfo, 12 February 2010

William Frederick Light (1 March 1878 — 10 November 1930) was an English first-class cricketer.

Light was born at Winchester in March 1878. A professional cricketer,[1] he made his debut in first-class cricket for Hampshire against Essex at Southampton in the 1897 County Championship. He played first-class cricket for Hampshire until 1898, making twelve appearances.[2] Playing as a left-arm fast-medium and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, he took 10 wickets for Hampshire at an average of 34.30, with best figures of 3 for 32.[3] Following the 1898 season, he was employed as a cricket coach at Marlborough College, before moving to Devon, qualifying to play for Devon County Cricket Club by 1902 having gained his residential qualification.[4] His debut for Devon in minor counties cricket came against Monmouthshire in the 1902 Minor Counties Championship. Light played minor counties cricket for Devon until 1928, making 165 appearances.[5] He took 587 wickets for Devon at an average of 17.41, taking a five wicket haul on 43 occasions and ten wickets in a match on seven occasions. His best innings bowling figures were 9 for 55.[6] He is Devon's second highest wicket-taker in the Minor Counties Championship, behind Doug Yeabsley (733).[7] Light also scored 6,388 runs in the Minor Counties Championship for Devon, at a batting average of 28.86. He made seven centuries and 38 half centuries, with a highest score of 157.[8] Light married at Crediton in September 1905,[1] and died suddenly at Exeter in November 1930.[4] His brother, Elisha, was also a first-class cricketer.

References

  1. ^ a b Popular Cricketer Married at Crediton. Western Times. 15 September 1905. p. 11
  2. ^ "First-Class Matches played by Billy Light". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  3. ^ "First-Class Bowling For Each Team by Billy Light". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Wisden - Obituaries in 1930". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by Billy Light". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Minor Counties Championship Bowling For Each Team by Billy Light". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Career Records- Minor Counties Championship (1901 – onwards)". www.devoncricket.co.uk. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Minor Counties Championship Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Billy Light". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 January 2023.