Arthur Haygarth

Who was Arthur Haygarth?

Arthur Haygarth was a noted amateur cricketer who became one of cricket's most significant historians. He played first class cricket for the Marylebone Cricket Club and Sussex between 1844 and 1861, as well as numerous other invitational and representative teams including an England XI and a pre-county Middlesex. A right-handed bat, Haygarth played 136 games now regarded as first class, scoring 3,042 runs and taking 19 wickets with his part-time bowling. He was educated at Harrow, which had established a rich tradition as a proving ground for cricketers. He served on many MCC committees and was elected a life member in 1864.

Outside of his playing career, Haygarth was a noted cricket writer and historian. He spent over sixty years compiling information and statistics. Of particular note was his compilation: Frederick Lillywhite's Cricket Scores and Biographies, published in 15 volumes between 1862 and 1879.