E. H. Budd

Who was E. H. Budd?

Edward Hayward Budd was a noted English cricketer and all-round sportsman. He was a prominent right-handed batsman and an occasional medium pace lob bowler. He was a good fielder who played in some matches as a wicketkeeper.

Always known by his initials, E. H. Budd was one of sixteen children of William Budd and his wife Ann. His maternal grandfather was the Rector of Uley, in Gloucestershire. At the age of 16 he was appointed to a clerkship in the War Office, from which he retired early after approximately twenty years' service.

He first played at Lord's in about 1804 and by 1807 was frequently engaged in matches there. His height was barely 5'10" and his weight for many years was uniformly 12 stone.

Budd's first-class career was disrupted by the Napoleonic War, especially during the 1811 to 1815 seasons. He is first recorded by Scores & Biographies in the 1802 season, in an "odds" match; and by CricketArchive in the 1803 season, in a match that is not universally regarded as first-class. He played for All-England Eleven versus Marylebone Cricket Club in 1804 and then made sporadic appearances until 1808 when his career took off. He continued playing until 1831.