Gilbert L Jessop

Martin Chandler | 9:10am BST 08 September 2024

Published: 2024
Pages: 40
Author: Uttley, Paul
Publisher: GCCC Heritage Trust
Rating: 3.5 stars

Gilbert Jessop is a fascinating figure from cricket history. Despite the ravages of Botham, Flintoff, Pietersen and Bazball his 104 against Australia as long ago as 1902 remains the fastest Test century by an Englishman. Add in to the equation his genuinely fast bowling and brilliant fielding anywhere and you have a man who was made for white ball cricket, if only he had been born 120 years later than he was.

Yet the name of Jessop has not stood the Test of time in the way that the names of some of his peers have. This is probably because, that remarkable century apart, his Test record is unspectacular, a batting average of just 21 and, in 18 Tests, just ten wickets at a cost of more than 35 runs each. At county level however Jessop was a different beast – there were 52 other centuries, and four times two in a match, and as many as 850 First Class wickets.

The Jessop back story is an interesting one as well. He played as an amateur, albeit one of those who had to earn a living which led to his being secretary at Gloucestershire for a number of years. In addition at various times Jessop pursued teaching, military and writing careers as well, albeit for a number of years he was unable to work due to an accident in a steam bath that ended his active sporting days in 1916 at the age of 42.

Back in 1922 Jessop wrote an autobiography, and half a century later Gerald Brodribb wrote an excellent biography that took its title from Jessop’s famous nickname, The Croucher. There has been nothing since however and this fine extended monograph on the subject of Jessop, very well illustrated with items of memorabilia from the publisher’s collection, is a timely reminder of the talents of the finest short format cricketer England never had.

The booklet can be had a cost of £10 inclusive of UK postage by contacting the Museum at gcccht2014@gmail.com*, all proceeds going to swell the Museum’s coffers. It is to be hoped that this represents the first in an extended series of similar monographs, in which case I will take the opportunity of suggesting a few names the Museum might like to consider; Tom Goddard, George Dennett, Charlie Parker, Sam Cook and Charles Barnett.