Oldest ever first-class cricketer dies
J.M.Hutchinson died at the Doncaster Royal Infirmary on 7th November 2000 aged 103 years, 344 days
Staff and Agencies
19-Oct-2007
Former Derbyshire batsman Jim Hutchinson died at the Doncaster Royal Infirmary on November 7, 2000 aged 103 years, 344 days. He lived to the oldest age of anyone who has ever played first-class cricket; he was born on the 29th November 1896 in New Tupton, Derbyshire.
Hutchinson played for Derbyshire from 1920 until 1931, appearing in 255 matches for his county, and 256 first-class matches in all. He was a right-hand batsman, occasional right-arm medium pace off-break bowler and was renowned as a brilliant cover point fielder.
His best season with the bat was in 1928 when he scored 990 runs at an average of 22.50.
First-class cricketers who have lived to the age of 100
| Age at Death | Name | Birth Date | Death Date | Main Team | FC Career Dates | No of FC matches |
| 103y-344d | James Metcalf HUTCHINSON | 29 Nov 1896 | 7 Nov 2000 | Derbyshire | 1920-31 | 256 |
| 102y-253d | Rupert DE SMIDT | 23 Nov 1883 | 3 Aug 1986 | Western Province | 1912/13 | 4 |
| 102y-247d | Edward Apsey ENGLISH | 1 Jan 1864 | 5 Sep 1966 | Hampshire | 1898-1901 | 18 |
| 102y-101d | John WHEATLEY | 8 Jan 1860 | 19 Apr 1962 | Canterbury | 1882/83-1903/04 | 12 |
| 101y-222d | Dinkar Balwant DEODHAR | 14 Jan 1892 | 24 Aug 1993 | Pune | 1911/12-1947/48 | 81 |
| 101y-191d | George Richard Uniacke HARMAN | 6 Jun 1874 | 14 Dec 1975 | Dublin University | 1895 | 1 |
| 100y-217d | Charles H BRAITHWAITE | 10 Sep 1845 | 15 Apr 1946 | Players of USA | 1881-93 | 4 |
| 100y-77d | George Onslow DEANE | 11 Dec 1828 | 26 Feb 1929 | Hampshire | 1848 | 1 |
Matches included as first-class are those which appear in the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians match lists. Deane appeared in a match for Hampshire against XIV of All England, and Braithwaite appeared in matches in North America now regarded as first-class by the ACS.
Deodhar lived for 81years and 337 days from the date of his debut in first-class cricket, Harman 80y-208d, Deane 80y-150d, Hutchinson 80y-85d. Robert Henry Fowler (28 Jun 1857-11 May 1957) lived for 80y 358d from his debut for Cambridge University in 1876.