William Brain

Who was William Brain?

William Henry Brain was an English cricketer and footballer: a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper who played for Gloucestershire, Oxford University and MCC in the early 1890s; as well as keeping goal for Headington United. He is notable as the first man to perform the "wicket-keeper's hat-trick" and the only man to perform a hat-trick of stumpings.

Born in Clifton, Bristol, Brain was a member of the Clifton College XI, captaining it in 1889. He made his first-class debut for Oxford University in 1891 against Lancashire, in the same year hitting his only half-century by making 65 not out in his only appearance for MCC, against Somerset. Playing for Gloucestershire in 1893, Brain made three stumpings from successive balls bowled by Charlie Townsend, removing Arthur Newton, George Nichols and Ted Tyler to finish off the Somerset second innings.

He played no more first-class games after that season, instead becoming involved with Glamorgan and playing a number of minor matches for that county between 1894 and 1907, including two games in the Minor Counties Championship. The second of these against Lancashire Second XI, was his last significant match; he did not keep wicket, this role being taken by his older brother Joseph. The two Brains opened the batting together in the second innings, but William was run out for a duck.