James Lillywhite, Jr., born on February 23, 1842, in West Hampnett, Sussex, was an accomplished cricket player from England. He hailed from a prominent cricketing family, with five close relatives who had played for Sussex. James Lillywhite had an illustrious career spanning from 1862 to 1881, during which he played in all of Sussex’s matches.
Lillywhite was a slow left-armer renowned for his high and accurate delivery. He also possessed strong batting skills and was a reliable fielder. His left-handed bowling style and exceptional accuracy made him a formidable opponent on the field. In his debut match at Lord’s in June 1862, playing for Sussex against the M.C.C., he showcased his talent by taking an impressive fourteen wickets for just 57 runs. A unique aspect of this game was that there was no change of bowling in any of the four innings, as Lillywhite partnered with Stubberfield as their opponents, Jimmy Grundy and George Wootton, did the same.
Throughout his career, Lillywhite bowled unchanged in a match for Sussex on twelve occasions. His most remarkable partnership was with Southerton, with whom he achieved this feat five times. On six occasions, Lillywhite remained unchanged alongside Fillery, including three consecutive matches in 1873 against Surrey, Kent, and Gloucestershire. In two significant games, Lillywhite and Southerton bowled unchanged for the Players of the South versus 14 Gentlemen of the South in 1865 and for South versus North in 1872. Additionally, while playing against the odds during the 1873-74 tour of Australia, Lillywhite displayed his excellence by taking eighteen wickets for just 72 runs against New South Wales and Victoria at Sydney, followed by twelve wickets for 61 runs against Victoria.
Over the course of his career, Lillywhite took a total of 917 wickets for Sussex at an average of 14.75 runs each. He achieved some exceptional seasons, such as 1872, when he took 94 wickets at an average cost of 13 runs each, and 1873, when he managed 101 wickets at the same cost. He also had a commendable batting record, scoring two centuries for Sussex. His highest score of 126 not out was achieved against Middlesex on the Old Cattle Market Ground at Islington. Lillywhite was known for his energetic fielding, particularly at slip or mid-on.
Lillywhite’s career extended beyond the English shores. In 1868, he journeyed to the United States and Canada as part of Willsher’s team. Subsequently, he made six visits to Australia, the first being in 1873-74 as a member of W. G. Grace’s team. In 1876-77, he captained England in what is now recognized as the first Test Match against Australia. He took part in several subsequent tours alongside Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury, primarily contributing to the business side of these undertakings. Lillywhite’s involvement with cricket did not cease with his playing days, as he served as Secretary of the United South of England Eleven and later became a respected umpire.
Off the field, Lillywhite had a significant impact on cricket administration. He arranged the fixture lists for the first two Australian teams that toured England in 1878 and 1880. His organizational skills were crucial in ensuring the smooth execution of these tours. In recognition of his contributions, he had the honor of two benefit matches. The first, held in Brighton in 1881, resulted in a memorable contest between the Players and Gentlemen. His second benefit match took place in Chichester in 1889, with North playing against South.
James Lillywhite, Jr. was the last survivor from the historic 1876-77 Test Match against Australia and outlived all his teammates by seven years. He passed away at the age of 87 on October 25, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of cricket. His career and contributions as a player, captain, administrator, and umpire make him a revered figure in cricket history.
