Hill Arthur Image 1 Hampshire 1902

Description

Spursholt House, Bassett, Hampshire born all-rounder Arthur Hill was educated at Marlborough College and Cambridge University. Hill made his first appearance as a player at Lord’s in 1887, a day after his 17th birthday, and he was in the Marlborough XI three seasons, during which time he also turned out for Wiltshire in 1888. Tall and stylish, Hill was a splendid batsman with a free, natural approach to the game. He was also a useful fast bowler before taking to lobs, and in addition he was a reliable field, notably at slip. At Cambridge, he played four times against Oxford between 1890 and 1893, and in May 1891 he performed the hat-trick for the University against Next Sixteen, a feat he also achieved the following year for Lord Hawke’s team against Madras Presidency at Madras, and on that tour Hill scored the first ever first class century to be scored in India.

He went with Lord Hawke’s team to India in 1892-93, America 1894, and South Africa 1895-96, and with M.C.C. to Argentine 1911-12. He played in three Tests in South Africa, making his England debut at Port Elizabeth in February 1896, scoring 124 at Cape Town the following month and also taking 4-8 in South Africa’s second innings to seal the victory by an innings and 33 runs. His Test match average was 62.75, also making 65 in the Second Test at Johannesburg.

He made his Hampshire debut in 1895 and played for them until 1921. His best score for the County was 199 against Surrey at The Oval in 1898. In 1904, at Worcester, Hill made 98 not out and 117 for Hampshire, and in 1905 at Southampton, in the match between Hampshire and Somerset, he hit 124 and 118 not out. In the second innings he took part in a remarkable stand of 150 with Major E. G. Wynyard. Hill was lame and, owing to a damaged thumb, Wynyard could bat with only one hand. Yet Hill made his runs in two hours, hitting one 6, one 5 and twenty-two 4’s. He scored 80 while his partner made 7; in fact Major Wynyard spent over an hour getting his first two runs.

In 221 first class matches over more than 30 years, Hill scored 10,353 runs at an average of 27.98 with 19 centuries and 44 half centuries. He took 305 wickets with his bowling at 27.99 apiece, with a best return of 7-36, taking 10 wickets in a match once and four five wicket hauls, and took 143 catches in first class play.

Hill captained Hampshire teams at Rugby football and hockey, and he was also good at racquets and boxing.

His son, Anthony Hill, played 19 matches for Hampshire in the 1920’s, and Hill finished his cricket career with him appearing with his son in the Hampshire side.. His nephew, Richard Page was also a first class cricketer who played once for The Army in 1937.

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