James Saunders

Who was James Saunders?

James Saunders was an English cricketer in the 19th century. He was a noted left-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper. According to Scores and Biographies, he was a "showy" batsman whose favourite shot was the square cut: S&B says that Saunders was "renowned" for this shot and that he "fetches runs very fast".

He played for numerous first-class teams but he was mainly attached to Sussex, Kent and Surrey. He also played for MCC.

Saunders was about 5'11" tall and weighed about 12 stones. He lived his whole life in Haslemere where he was a butcher. He died very young of consumption and S&B records that he was not fit to play during his last two years, though he still would not abandon the game. S&B concludes that he was a "great batsman" who had scarcely reached his prime.

He belonged to a cricketing family. His cousins were Richard Searle, who played three matches for Sussex between 1823 and 1825; and his better known brother William Searle.

In the 1824 season, Saunders was the leading runscorer with 267 @ 24.27.