Cloudesley Marsham

Cloudesley Henry Bullock Marsham died at the early age of 49. He was son of the late Rev. C. D. B. Marsham, the best Gentleman bowler of his day and went to Eton in 1892 to the house of Mr. R. A. H. Mitchell, the famous nurse of young cricketers. He made his first appearance at Lord's for Eton against Harrow in 1897, and played again the following season. Going up to Oxford, he was in the eleven in 1900, 1901, and 1902, being captain in his last year. Born with cricket in his blood and enjoying such an auspicious beginning to his career, he was obviously marked down as a future Kent captain, and in 1904 on the retirement of C. J. Burnup he succeeded to that post, having under his command such famous players as J. R. Mason, E. W. Dillon, S. E. Day, Blythe, Fielder, Huish, Humphreys, and Fairservice. Marsham played his first match for Kent in 1900, and in 1906 he enjoyed the satisfaction, while acting as captain, of seeing his side carry off the County Championship for the first time in the history of the county club. He did not have a particularly long career, for after 1908 he dropped out of first-class cricket, playing only twice in the following season, once in 1910, and a few times after the war. In this sterner field he was a captain in the West Kent Yeomanry, being attached to the Buffs and the R.A.F., and serving in Egypt, Gallipoli, and Palestine.

A good, but not a great batsman, Cloudesley Marsham will be remembered more probably for his ability to rise to the occasion at critical times than by any pronounced or consistent skill. Scores of 53 and 31 for Eton against Harrow in 1898 showed that, if necessary, he could play a dogged game but, if rather slow, his methods were sound in helping H. C. Pilkington to put on 85 for the first wicket when Eton followed on. In the University match, his great year was in 1901, when Oxford saved the game after losing seven wickets for 145 in an attempt to make 327 to win in the last innings. On that occasion Marsham played an invaluable innings of 100 not out, Oxford in drawing the game, owing nearly everything to him. Apart from a possible chance when 13, he did not make a mistake of any kind. He batted for three hours, made his runs in 33 hits--twenty 4's, two 3's, three 2's, and eight singles, and obtained his last 50 runs in an hour. He was essentially an off-side player, and in this particular innings he cut and drove in a manner perfectly delightful to see. A hard worker and keen trier himself in the field, he inspired his men by fine example. As a captain, he secured unfailing support and unswerving loyalty from those under him, while a charming and courteous disposition endeared him to all opponents. His family have been associated with Kent cricket for about 150 years.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack