James Seymour, born on October 25, 1879, in Brightling, Sussex, was a renowned cricket player from England. He was an indispensable member of the famous Kent elevens before the War and his contributions to the team were immeasurable. Seymour spent most of his career playing for Kent, residing in Pembury.
While some would argue that he did not reach the highest level of representative cricket, it is important to note that during his era, the standard of play was exceptionally high. As a county player, however, Seymour was undoubtedly one of the best in the game. In the halcyon years of Kent, when numerous great amateur players were vying for a place in the team, Seymour’s presence in the side was indispensable. He possessed a unique batting style, not considered classic by traditional standards, but his strokes were both skillful and attractive.
Spectators were particularly captivated by Seymour’s flash past cover-point, a shot that brought much delight to those watching. Although he sometimes struggled against fast bowling, Seymour showed great proficiency in playing the ball on turning wickets. His talent as a slip fieldsman was unmatched. The combination of Huish, Seymour, J. R. Mason, R. N. R. Blaker, and K. L. Hutchings behind the wicket was a force to be reckoned with. In fact, Seymour caught an impressive six South Africans in a single innings at Canterbury in 1904.
Despite his exceptional skills, Seymour never had the opportunity to participate in a Test match. He only played in three Gentlemen v. Players matches, with his most notable performance being an innings of 80 in his second appearance at The Oval in 1913. In 1900, he was enlisted to play for the London County Cricket Club, and it was during this time that his innings of 66 not out for the Kent Club and Ground against Gravesend caught the attention of the selectors, leading to an offer to join the ground staff at Tonbridge. Under the guidance of the late Capt. W. McCanlis, Seymour developed his skills significantly.
Seymour’s first full season as a regular member of the Kent team was in 1902, and from that point until 1927, he remained a consistent presence on the side. In 1906, when Kent won the County Championship, Seymour’s contribution of 1,096 runs made him the leading professional batsman of the eleven. Three years later, in 1913, he had a remarkable season, accumulating a total of 2,088 runs with an average of 38. Throughout his career, Seymour scored an impressive 53 centuries, including two matches where he achieved a century in each innings. These remarkable performances occurred against Worcestershire at Maidstone in 1904 and against Essex at Leyton in 1923.
One of Seymour’s most notable innings came in 1907, when he scored an incredible 204 runs against Hampshire at Tonbridge, setting a new record for Kent. He would go on to surpass the second hundred twice, scoring 218 not out against Essex at Leyton in 1911 and 214 against the same county at Tunbridge Wells three years later. Only Woolley and Hardinge have scored more centuries for Kent. In total, Seymour amassed 27,064 runs in all matches for the county, including those on the American tour of 1903, with an average of 32.
In 1920, Seymour’s benefit match was held against Hampshire at Canterbury. This occasion led to an important legal case, taken to the House of Lords, establishing the right for cricket benefits to be tax-free, unless guaranteed by contract. Following his retirement from first-class cricket, Seymour accepted a coaching position at Epsom College, further contributing to the development of cricket talent.
James Seymour was the brother of John Seymour, who also played cricket for Sussex. His impact on the game, both as a player and as a coach, will never be forgotten. By the time of his passing on September 30 at the age of 50, Seymour had left an indelible mark on English cricket and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of players.
