Arthur Shrewsbury

Arthur Shrewsbury (11 April 1856 – 19 May 1903) was an English cricketer, and rugby football administrator, who organised the first British Isles rugby tour to Australasia in 1888, and who was widely rated as competing with W. G. Grace for the accolade of being the best batsman of the 1880s; Grace himself, when asked who he would most like in his side, replied simply, "Give me Arthur".

An opening batsman, he played his cricket for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and played 23 Test match for England, captaining them in 7 games, with a record of won 5, lost 2. He was the last professional to be captain until Len Hutton was chosen in 1952. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1890.

An expert on sticky wickets,, Cricinfo, Retrieved on 18 October 2007 Shrewsbury topped the first-class batting averages seven times including in 1902, his final season. The following spring, incorrectly believing he had an incurable disease, he shot himself at his sister's home in Gedling, Nottinghamshire.

Early life

Shrewsbury, the seventh child of William Shrewsbury and Mary Ann Wragg, was born in New Lenton, Nottinghamshire. He was educated at the People's College, Nottingham and trained as a draughtsman. His early club cricket was, like William Scotton, with Meadow Imperial and he subsequently played for Nottingham Commercial Club where he came to the notice of the county...
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