Cox George Sr Image 4 Sussex 1912

Description

Warnham, Sussex born all-rounder George Cox had a substantial career for Sussex which lasted from 1895 to 1928, during which time he played in 634 first class matches. He is often known as George Cox Sr to distinguish him from his son George Cox junior, who was also a successful player for the same county, as well as playing professional football for Arsenal, Fulham and Luton Town.

Cox was a useful right-handed batsman, with 14,633 career runs at 18.73, including two centuries and fifty four half centuries. He was also a fine fielder, holding 552 catches, mostly close to the wicket. However he was chiefly noted for his left-arm bowling, in his first few years at medium-pace but thereafter principally orthodox spin. He took 1,843 wickets at 22.86, with best innings figures of 9-50, taking five wickets in an innings 111 times and ten wickets in a match 13 times.

Playing for M.C.C. against Royal Navy in 1907, took all ten wickets in an innings for 117 runs. In 1926, at the age of 52, he took 17 Warwickshire wickets for 106 runs at Horsham, which remains the best match analysis for the County. He also took five wickets for no runs in six overs against Somerset at Weston-super-Mare in 1921. He still holds a second County record, that for the last wicket. In 1908, he put on 156 with Harry Butt at Cambridge against Cambridge University. When Cox played his highest scoring innings, 167 not out against Hampshire at Chichester in 1906, he and Butt added 116 for the last wicket. His Wisden obituary described him as “one of the pillars of Sussex cricket”.

He was awarded a benefit being given the game with Yorkshire at Hove in 1920, after his 1914 benefit award had been cancelled due to the First World War’s outbreak. After his playing days he became the official County coach, and also coached in India and South Africa. He was made an honorary life member of the County in 1937. Only Maurice Tate had previously received a similar honour.