James Aylward

Who was James Aylward?

James Aylward was a noted English cricketer who played for the Hambledon Club. He was a left-handed batsman.

He is first recorded in 1773, even though he was by then 32 years of age. As Arthur Haygarth says, "he must have played several years previously, the records being unfortunately lost". Aylward is known to have played in 111 first-class matches from 1773 until 1797. He continued playing after that in minor matches.

Aylward is remembered for his remarkable feat on 18, 19 and 20 June 1777, when he scored 167 runs in one innings against the best bowlers and fielders of the day. This score was the "world record" for the highest individual innings in first-class cricket, beating the 136 scored by John Small in 1775 and standing for 43 years until it was beaten by William Ward in 1820.

Aylward played for Hambledon until 1779 when he was offered employment as a water bailiff by Sir Horatio Mann, whereupon he moved to Bishopsbourne in Kent and played for Sir Horace’s teams.

Latterly he resided in London and died in Edward Street, Marylebone. He is buried in St John's Wood Churchyard, close to Lord's Cricket Ground.