Full Name

John William Hitch

Born

May 07, 1886, Radcliffe, Lancashire

Died

July 07, 1965, Rumney, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, (aged 79y 61d)

Batting Style

Right hand Bat

Bowling Style

Right arm Fast

Other

Umpire, Coach

Bill Hitch - known to his followers at The Oval as Billitch - was famous for his unusual, hopping run-up. On his day he was genuinely fast - he once sent a bail flying 55 yards - a lusty lower-order hitter who love nothing more than launching balls out of The Oval, and, in the era before protective clothing, a brilliant and fearless short-leg fielder. He started his career in Cambridgeshire before being spotted by Tom Hayward and signed by Surrey. He toured Australia twice with MCC - in 1911-12 and 1920-21 - without any real success, and his seven Test appearances did not do justice to his ability. In his final Test, against Australia at The Oval in 1921, he cracked 51 in 40 minutes. His best season for Surrey was in 1913 when he took 174 wickets at 18.55. But his hitting is what entertained the crowds. In 1919 at Trent Bridge he hammered 74 in 35 minutes; in 1913 he scored 53 and 68 for the Players against the Gentlemen, including seven sixes; in his benefit match in 1921 he bludgeoned 71 in 50 minutes against Kent. After leaving Surrey he played at Tormorden in the Lancashire League for four seasons, taking 289 wickets at 11.62. He later coached Glamorgan before taking a position with a south Wales company - he continued playing for the works side until he was 60.
Martin Williamson

Bill Hitch Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAve100s50s6sCtSt
Tests710310351*14.7101140
FC35048051764310717.81332-2300

Bowling

FormatMatInnsBallsRunsWktsBBIBBMAveEconSR4w5w10w
Tests7946232572/312/5446.424.2266.0000
FC350-569172991513878/38-21.563.1541.0-10124

Umpire & Referee

FormatMatUmpire
Tests44
John William Hitch

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Test

Recent Matches of Bill Hitch

MatchBatBowlDateGroundFormat
Surrey vs Oxford Uni17 & 17*0/43 & 0/228-Jun-1922The OvalFC
Thornton's vs Australians17 & 71/24 & 0/408-Sep-1921ScarboroughFC
England vs Australia18 & 51*2/6513-Aug-1921The OvalTest # 144
Surrey vs Australians20 & 05/74 & 5/4418-Jun-1921The OvalFC
Surrey vs Notts20 & 42/48 & 0/814-May-1921NottinghamFC