Ivo Francis Walter Bligh, the 8th Earl of Darnley, was a prominent cricket player from England, known for his exceptional skills on the field. Born on March 13, 1859, in Bruton Street, London, Bligh showed great promise in various sports, including racquets, tennis, and cricket. Unfortunately, his first-class career was cut short due to health issues that plagued him from an early age. Despite this setback, Bligh made a significant impact in English cricket and achieved remarkable success during his time as a player.
Bligh’s cricket journey began during his school years, where he received coaching from none other than Farmer Bennett. At Cheam, he played alongside some of the distinguished Studds, and his bowling skills earned him a place in the school’s Eleven. As he progressed to Eton College, his cricket abilities flourished, and he displayed his prowess in matches against Harrow and Winchester in 1876 and 1877. Bligh scored a total of 106 runs in these matches, with an average of 26.50, and particularly shone in his highest innings of 73 against Winchester in 1876. Eton emerged victorious in three out of the four games.
Continuing his cricket journey at Cambridge University, Bligh earned his Blue as a Freshman and became a part of the renowned team of 1878. This team played eight matches and emerged victorious in all of them, including a notable win against the Australians at Lord’s by an innings and 72 runs. Bligh also competed against Oxford during his time at Cambridge, winning three out of the four matches. In these matches, he scored a total of 154 runs with an average of 25.66, showcasing his batting capabilities.
Bligh’s association with Kent County Cricket Club lasted from 1877 to 1883, during which he played 47 matches. Despite his health issues, he managed to amass 1,490 runs with an average of 18.86, occasionally leading the side in the absence of Lord Harris. Although his tenure with Kent was relatively brief, it is widely believed that Bligh had the potential to become a truly exceptional batsman if not for his ill-health. His greatest achievement came during the 1882-83 tour to Australia, where he captained the English team and successfully regained the Ashes, famously presented with the urn that remains an iconic symbol in cricket to this day.
Following his retirement from first-class matches, Bligh maintained his deep passion for cricket and continued to contribute to the sport. He served as the President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1900 and later became the President of Kent County Cricket Club in 1892 and 1902. Bligh’s love for cricket persevered throughout his life, despite his involvement in other sports such as rackets and tennis.
Ivo Francis Walter Bligh, the 8th Earl of Darnley, was known not only for his exceptional sporting talents but also for his genial and kind-hearted nature. He remained devoted to cricket, a game that had been a significant part of his family’s legacy for nearly 150 years. Until his passing on April 10, 1927, at the age of 68, Lord Darnley left an indelible mark on English cricket, forever associated with reclaiming the Ashes in the historic tour to Australia in 1882-83.
