Abe Waddington

Who was Abe Waddington?

Abraham "Abe" Waddington, sometimes known as Abram Waddington, was a professional cricketer for Yorkshire, who played in two Test matches for England against Australia in 1920–21. Between 1919 and 1927 Waddington made 255 appearances for Yorkshire, and in all first-class cricket played in 266 first-class matches. In these games, he took a total of 852 wickets with his left arm fast-medium bowling.

Waddington first played for Yorkshire after the First World War, when the team had been weakened by injuries and retirements. He made an immediate impression in his first season, 1919, taking 100 wickets; after a similarly successful season in 1920 he was selected for the 1920–21 Marylebone Cricket Club tour of Australia. On the tour Waddington appeared in two of the five Tests. However, the England team were outclassed; used in an unfamiliar tactical role, Waddington took just one wicket in his two Tests, and never played for England again. At home, his reputation as a hostile, uncompromising opponent was cemented by incidents in 1924, but a succession of injuries reduced his effectiveness before his retirement from first-class cricket in 1927. He continued to play at a lower level and worked for the family business, maintaining his connection with Yorkshire cricket. Waddington was successful in other sports, notably golf and football.