H. H. Stephenson

Who was H. H. Stephenson?

Heathfield Harman "HH" Stephenson was a famous English cricketer during the game's roundarm era.

Stephenson bowled right-arm fast roundarm, batted right-handed and was an occasional wicket-keeper.

His known first-class career spanned the 1853 to 1871 seasons. He took 303 wickets in 256 matches at 16.37 with a best analysis of 8/28. He had 17 5wI and 4 10wM. He scored 7360 runs at 17.90 with a highest score of 119, making 3 centuries. He took 152 catches and made 25 stumpings.

HH Stephenson was the first cricketer to be awarded a hat for taking three wickets in consecutive balls, the origin of the hat-trick. He performed the feat for the All-England Eleven against the twenty-two of Hallam at the Hyde Park ground, Sheffield in 1858. A collection was held for Stephenson and he was presented with a cap or hat bought with the proceeds.

At the end of the 1859 English cricket season, Stephenson was one of the 12 players who took part in cricket's first-ever overseas tour when an England cricket team led by George Parr visited North America.

In the 1861-62 Australian cricket season, Stephenson captained the England team put together by Messrs Spiers and Pond that made the inaugural tour of Australia. He is the first player featured on a mural in the Melbourne Cricket Ground pavilion showing many of the famous cricketers who have played on that ground.