Lancashire player number 35 - Tennent, William Middleton by Don Ambrose

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Player:

WM Tennent

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Lancashire 1867
Born 6.10.1845 Hobart, Van Deimen's Land, Australia.
Died 5.7.1883 Hastings, Sussex.

 

The brother of Hector Norman Tennent (Lancashire 1865-70) and John Pattison Tennent (Victoria 1877-78).

 

He was educated at the Merchiston Castle School, near Edinburgh, Scotland, as were his three brothers. He was a member of the cricket eleven 1860-62, being captain in 1862. He was also a member of the school Rugby football eleven 1860-62.

 

In June and July 1864 he played for Birkenhead Park in both of their matches against the newly formed Lancashire County Cricket Club, Lancashire's first two games. He scored 11 in the first and 24 in the second and took eight wickets in the first match, but none in the second.

 

He also played for the Northern Club, Seaforth, Liverpool, and was their representative at the metting at which the Lancashire County Cricket Club was founded. In 1863 he played for 22 of Northern against the United England Eleven and in 1866 he played for 22 of Seaforth against the All England Eleven. On 1st August 1867 he played for 22 of St Helens against the All England Eleven.

 

A fine natural athlete, he won the 100 yards English National Championship, at Lillieshall, London, in 1868.

 

On 27th to 29th June 1867 he played his only first-class match, for Lancashire against Yorkshire at Old Trafford, batting at number ten.

 

He went to work in Bombay and was a Captain in the 7th Bombay Volunteer Rifle Corps.

 

He returned to England with ill health shortly before his death.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Don Ambrose)