Jack Shantry

Jack David Shantry is an English cricket player who defied all odds to become a respected and admired figure in the sport.
Despite initial doubts and criticisms about his unorthodox bowling action and lack of pace, Shantry worked hard to develop into a skilled left-arm seamer with a remarkable record.


Born in England, Jack Shantry hails from a family with a cricketing background.
His older brother, Adam Shantry, was also a left-arm swing bowler who enjoyed success with various county teams before his career was cut short due to injury.
Following in his brother's footsteps, Jack began his cricket journey in the Shropshire age-group teams, showcasing his talent and potential at a young age.

Shantry's breakthrough moment came in 2008 when he claimed an impressive 10-wicket haul in a minor counties game.
Despite his individual success, his team, Shropshire, suffered a loss.
However, this performance caught the attention of Worcestershire, and he made his debut for the county side in the latter part of 2009.

Blessed with a tall frame and a high bowling action, Shantry possessed excellent control and the ability to generate natural movement away from right-handed batsmen.
He soon started to make his mark in county cricket, taking his maiden five-wicket haul against Leicestershire in 2010.
While he faced some struggles in the following years, Shantry's determination and hard work paid off as he enjoyed a successful 2013, taking 45 wickets at an average of 26.28.

His standout performance during Worcestershire's promotion-winning campaign in 2014 cemented his place as a key player in the team.
In a pivotal match against Surrey, Shantry took six wickets in the first innings and then played a stunning innings of 101 runs from just 86 balls in the second innings, securing victory and his maiden 10-wicket match.
This remarkable display earned him comparisons to cricket legend Sir Ian Botham.

In 2015, despite Shantry's impressive tally of 57 Championship wickets at an average of 25.08, Worcestershire was unable to avoid relegation.
However, he continued to display his all-round skills by contributing significantly with the bat as well as improving his economy rate in limited-overs cricket.

Shantry's exceptional abilities on the cricket field did not go unnoticed, and he played a crucial role in Worcestershire's success.
In 2016, he replicated a remarkable feat achieved more than a century earlier by scoring a career-best 106 runs in a match against Gloucestershire.
He achieved this fantastic milestone from the number 10 position and completed his century in just 14 balls, emulating Dick Burrows' astonishing performance in 1907.

Sadly, Shantry's cricketing career was cut short due to injury, leading to his retirement in 2017.
However, his love for the game remained, and he decided to stay involved by taking up umpiring.
Although his playing days may be over, Jack Shantry's remarkable journey from being a figure of fun to a beloved folk hero in English cricket will forever be remembered.

Batting Stats

Bowling Stats