A fine University cricketer who went on to play for Kent, Charles Absolom made a single Test appearance. He came to the wicket after Spofforth, with the first Test hat-trick, had reduced England to 26 for 7, and made a fine half century batting at No. 9. Despite his excellent slow-medium bowling record, he was not asked to bowl in the Australian innings, although seven others were, and he fared less well against Spofforth in the second innings as England lost by 10 wickets. Known as the "Cambridge Navvy", presumably because of his impressive physique, he took 25 wickets in the four University matches he appeared in. His career in cricket was short, as he chose to travel, becoming a purser, and he came to an unfortunate end when he was buried under a misplaced load of sugar whilst loading at Port of Spain.
Dave Liverman