James Disney

Who was James Disney?

James Joseph Disney was an English cricketer who played first class cricket for Derbyshire as wicket-keeper between 1881 and 1890.

Disney was born in Butterley near Ripley, Derbyshire and became a plumber as his main career. He played for twenty-three Colts of England against the MCC in 1881 and in that year made his debut for Derbyshire in a victory against Sussex setting his place as wicket keeper for the club.

In the 1882 season, he continued to keep wicket, although as a batsman he found himself getting out cheaply. Derbyshire played host to the touring Australians, and Disney found himself out to the bowling of Eugene Palmer on two occasions. He played a full season in 1883 but in 1884 Disney took a year out of the side, when Thomas Mycroft filled the wicket-keeping slot. He returned in 1885, when he was once again a first-team pick. Disney remained a force as a wicket-keeper and continued playing for Derbyshire until 1890, although the club lost first class status in 1887. In 1888 he was called in as wicket keeper for an England XI in a match against a team of Australians building up to the third match of a Test series.