Full Name

William Bestwick

Born

February 24, 1875, Heanor, Derbyshire

Died

May 02, 1938, Standard Hill, Nottingham, (aged 63y 67d)

Batting Style

Right hand Bat

Bowling Style

Right arm Fast medium

RELATIONS

Other

Umpire

William Bestwick, the Derbyshire professional, died on May 3, 1938, aged 62. Of good height and heavy build, he brought all the force associated with his winter occupation as a miner into his right hand bowling so effectively and with such reserve of strength, that he continued in County Cricket until his 50th year. Appointed to the list of first-class umpires, he remained a familiar figure on the field until last season when illness compelled his retirement. Bestwick first played for Derbyshire in 1898 and, gradually improving, he three times took over a hundred wickets in a season before 1909 when he preferred League cricket in South Wales. In that way he became qualified for Glamorgan, but resumed his services with Derbyshire after the War, and enjoyed his most successful season in 1921 when 147 wickets fell to him at an average of 16.72 runs apiece. All this work was done in 20 county matches, Derbyshire not having a fixture with the Australians. His best performance was, strangely enough, against Glamorgan to which county he thought of returning. In the match at Cardiff, Derbyshire were 85 behind on the first innings but then Bestwick dismissed all the home side, seven clean bowled, and 193 runs were obtained for the loss of eight men. So Derbyshire snatched a victory on the second day. Bestwick's figures read-19 overs, two maidens, 40 runs, 10 wickets. He bowled unchanged through the innings which realised 106 runs. On the first day Bestwick dismissed four men for 71, his full return in the match being 14 wickets for 111 runs - a remarkable performance for a man of his weight when 45 years old. He could bowl at full speed for long spells because he relied on a short run with the power of his arm and body giving pace to the ball and lift from the pitch. Length and spin were the mainstays of his work.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

Billy Bestwick Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAve100s50sCtSt
FC3235241831607394.7100900

Bowling

FormatMatBallsRunsWktsBBIAveEconSR5w10w
FC3237084331008145710/4021.282.6248.610427

Umpire & Referee

FormatMatUmpire
Tests33
FC55
Billy Bestwick

Explore Statsguru Analysis

Test

Recent Matches of Billy Bestwick

MatchBatBowlDateGroundFormat
Derbyshire vs West Indians150/120-Jun-1923BuxtonFC
Derbyshire vs Glamorgan04/71 & 10/4018-Jun-1921CardiffFC
Derbyshire vs Sth Africans8* & 01/4920-Jun-1907DerbyFC
Derbyshire vs Sth Africans42/34 & 1/3515-Aug-1904DerbyFC

Debut/Last Matches of Billy Bestwick

FC Matches

Span
1898 - 1925

Photos of Billy Bestwick

Billy Bestwick