Full name
Ernest Richard Sheepshanks
Born
March 22, 1910, Arthington Hall, Yorkshire
Died December 31, 1937, Caudiel, Tervel, Spain (aged 27 years 284 days)
Major teams Yorkshire
Batting style Right-hand bat
Education Eton College; Cambridge University
Ernest Richard Sheepshanks was killed on December 31 while acting as special correspondent to Reuter's with the insurgent forces in Spain. Born on March 22, 1910, he met his tragic end when 27. Very prominent in every respect at Eton, he was President of Pop, captain of cricket, and a member of the Association Football and Fives teams.
A first-rate batsman, he was in the Eton eleven of 1927 before being captain. He used his feet cleverly and possessed excellent judgment in stroke-play and admirable defence. He saved Eton from the probability of a follow-on against Winchester in 1927 when, after the fall of nine wickets for 108, he and R. H. R. Buckston, the present Derbyshire captain, put on 144 for the last stand, exactly clearing off the arrears. Sheepshanks scored 116, hitting with remarkable freedom until the follow-on was saved; then he trod on his wicket.
In the following season, he helped Eton to victory by 28 runs over Harrow--a fine performance considering that Eton were 108 behind on the first innings. Sheepshanks and I. Akers-Douglas added 149 for the third wicket in the second innings, Sheepshanks, despite the handicap of a damaged hand, scoring 69.
At Cambridge he took part in the Freshmen's match in 1929 and the Seniors' matches of 1930 and 1931, but did not play for the University. In 1929 he appeared in the Yorkshire eleven.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack
