Arthur Sclater

Who is Arthur Sclater?

Arthur William Bassett Sclater was an Irish-born English cricketer. Sclater was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He was born at Auburn, County Cavan, and was educated at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.

Described as a "young man of grand physique" who stood at "6 feet 5 inches without boots, and proportionately well made", Sclater made his first-class debut for Sussex against Surrey in 1879 at the County Ground, Hove. He made eight further first-class appearances for the county, all in 1880, the last of which came against Hampshire at the Antelope Ground, Southampton. In his nine matches, he scored 107 runs at an average of 11.88, with a high score of 18 not out. With the ball, he took a 35 wickets at a bowling average of 19.62, with best figures of 7/45. This was his only five-wicket haul and came against Surrey at The Oval in 1880, in a match in which he finished with match figures of 10/92.

He later emigrated to New Zealand aboard the SS Manapouri, where he moved in with his cousin, a Mr. E. S. Vernon, who owned a large estate along the Titirau River near Fortrose.