Richard_Fielder_(cricketer)
Richard Fielder (cricketer)
English cricketer
Richard Fielder (1758–1826) was an English cricketer who played in 20 matches between 1790 and 1801 which are now regarded as having first-class cricket status.[2]
Fielder was born at East Malling in Kent in 1758.[3] He is first known to have played cricket in 1790, playing in a first-class match for East Kent against West Kent at Bourne Paddock near Canterbury. He played regularly for Kent sides and for England teams[lower-alpha 3] between 1792 and 1796. A total of 18 of his 20 first-class matches were played during these seasons, 11 for Kent, six for England as well as one for a team organised by Richard Leigh, an influential organiser of matches who lived in the Dartford area of Kent.[3]
From 1801 to 1803 Fielder played for Surrey teams, including in one match which has been awarded first-class status.[3] Writing in 1862, Arthur Haygarth recorded that he has been considered "a very fine field and catch".[5] In his 20 matches considered to be first-class, Fielder scored 281 runs with a highest score of 35. He took at least one wicket.[lower-alpha 2]
Fielder worked as a horse trainer and is thought to have eloped with one of his riding pupils. Afterwards they kept the Woolpack Inn at Tenterden.[5] He died at Gravesend in 1826.[3]