Full name John Barton King
Born October 19, 1873, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died October 17, 1965, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (aged 91 years 363 days)
Major teams United States of America, Philadelphians
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast
Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | Ct | St | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First-class | 65 | 114 | 10 | 2134 | 113* | 20.51 | 1 | 8 | 67 | 0 |
Mat | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | 5w | 10 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First-class | 65 | 6502 | 415 | 10/53 | 15.66 | 38 | 11 |
First-class span | 1893 - 1912 |
Bart King was by a wide margin the greatest cricketer that the US has ever produced, as well as being a great character. His reputation outside America was largely made by his three tours of England with The Philadelphians (who before World War 1 played cricket to a high standard) in 1897, 1903 and 1908. His figures in first-class matches on those tours were:
Runs Avge Wkts Avge 1897 441 20.10 72 24.20 1903 653 28.89 93 14.91 1908 290 16.11 87 11.01Though by 1908 he was 35 years old, his bowling average was the lowest of the English season. His 87 wickets were taken in just 10 matches. He bowled very fast in his early days, and developed the ability to swing the ball late from leg. Judges such as Pelham Warner, C.B.Fry and H.V.Horden ranked him amongst the great bowlers.