Greatest Cricket Moments

Edgar Willsher — Kent's Left-Arm Fast Roundarm Bowler Emerges, 1855

1855-06-01Kent and All-England elevensEdgar Willsher's first significant seasons for Kent, 1854–18562 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

Edgar Willsher of Rolvenden, Kent, emerged in the mid-1850s as one of the fastest left-arm roundarm bowlers in England, taking 1,393 first-class wickets across a career lasting until 1875. He was the central figure in the overarm bowling controversy of 1862, when he was repeatedly no-balled by umpire John Lillywhite at The Oval, but in the 1850s he was simply the most dangerous left-arm bowler in the country.

Background

Left-arm roundarm bowling was rare and difficult to play, since the ball moved away from right-handed batsmen rather than toward them. Willsher's accuracy and pace made him doubly dangerous.

What Happened

Edgar Willsher was born at Rolvenden in Kent in November 1828 and made his first-class debut for Kent in 1850, but his effectiveness grew through the mid-1850s as he mastered the fast left-arm roundarm action that was his trademark. He delivered from close to the stumps on a good-length off stump and moved the ball enough to trouble the best right-hand batsmen. By 1855 he was a regular in the Kent eleven and in representative south of England sides; by 1857 he was appearing for the AEE after Clarke's death ended the ban on UAEE players. He took 1,393 first-class wickets at 13.49 — one of the best averages of his era — and his 8 for 11 for the AEE against an eighteen of Hastings in 1855 was described by Wisden as the finest bowling he had ever seen from a left-hander. His overarm bowling controversy in 1862 — when he was no-balled six times by umpire John Lillywhite — would accelerate the MCC's decision to legalise overarm, but in the 1850s he was simply the most feared left-arm bowler in England.

Key Moments

1

Nov 1828: Willsher born at Rolvenden, Kent

2

1850: First-class debut for Kent

3

1855: Established as England's leading left-arm roundarm bowler

4

1855: 8/11 for AEE v Eighteen of Hastings

5

1862: No-balled six times by umpire Lillywhite at The Oval for overarm

6

1864: MCC legalises overarm bowling

7

1875: Last first-class season

⚖️ The Verdict

The most effective left-arm fast bowler between the retirement of Lillywhite and the arrival of the overarm era, whose career bridged the two bowling revolutions.

Legacy & Impact

Willsher's career spans both the roundarm and overarm eras. His 1862 no-balling — the direct catalyst for the overarm legalisation of 1864 — is his most historically significant moment, but his 1,393 wickets establish him as one of the three or four great bowlers between Lillywhite and Spofforth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 1862 no-balling controversy?▾
In a match at The Oval, umpire John Lillywhite no-balled Willsher six times in one over for raising his arm above the shoulder — the then-illegal overarm delivery. Willsher left the field in protest; the match resumed with a different umpire. The MCC legalised overarm in 1864.

Tags

#roundarm-era#early-victorian#1850s#edgar-willsher#kent#left-arm#fast-bowler#iconic-moment#overarm-controversy

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