Billy Denton

DENTON, WILLIAM HERBERT, the last survivor of three brothers who played together for Northamptonshire, died on April 23, 1979, aged 88. He and his identical twin, J. S., who between them caused endless confusion to spectators and scorers, first appeared in 1909. By 1912, when the county, calling upon only twelve players in the Championship, came second, they had become essential members of the side. In 1913 both exceeded 1,000 runs and, from August that year until cricket was stopped by the War, they formed the regular opening pair. Both were taken prisoner in the closing months of the War and J. S. played little county cricket afterwards but W. H., after a few appearances between 1919 and 1923, resumed a regular place for the season of 1924. Unfortunately his spell as a prisoner had taken its toll of his health and, though he did much useful work, he was not the player he had been. He did not play for the county again. A small man, he had a sound defence and his footwork was neat: a large proportion of his runs were scored behind the wicket. His highest score was 230 not out, at that time a record for the county, against Essex at Leyton in 1913. Going in first he carried his bat through an innings of five hours forty minutes and was on the field throughout the match. Apart from his batting he was a fine mid-off. When Northamptonshire played Somerset in 1914, the Denton twins opened for Northamptonshire and the Rippon twins, A. D. E. and A. E. S., for Somerset- an occurrence unique in first-class cricket.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack