Archie Cumberbatch

Who is Archie Cumberbatch?

Archibald Belford Cumberbatch was a West Indian cricketer who toured England in 1906. He was a right arm fast bowler.

Although raised in Barbados he found few opportunities there and moved to Trinidad in 1896 to serve as groundsman to Queen's Park Cricket Club in Port-of-Spain. In 1896-97 he played for Trinidad against both Lord Hawke's team and Priestley's team, playing for the combined West Indies side and taking an incredible 45 wickets in the 5 matches. Even in Trinidad being a Professional limited his opportunities to play in important matches, the Inter-Colonial Tournament being restricted to Amateurs only.

He returned to Barbados briefly in 1899 before moving to Jamaica to play for the Lucas Cricket Club in Kingston. Returning again to Barbados in 1900 he played for Fenwicks Cricket Club and then moved back to Trinidad in 1901 to play for Stingo Cricket Club. Despite his impressive form he was not selected for the 1900 tour to England.

His next important matches were against Lord Brackley's team in 1904-05. In the first Trinidad matc he took 13 wickets and was then selected for the combined West Indies team. He took 4 wickets in this match and then a further 7 in the second Trinidad game to complete an impressive two weeks cricket.