12 Facts About Edward Sprot

Edward Mark Sprot was a Scottish first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

Edward Sprot additionally took 55 wickets, alongside taking 228 catches in the field.

The son of Edward William Sprot, he was born at Edinburgh in February 1872.

Edward Sprot was educated in England at Harrow School, where he played for the school cricket team.

Edward Sprot was promoted to lieutenant in March 1896, before resigning his commission in July 1899.

Edward Sprot captained Hampshire until 1914, with his captaincy characterised by his encouragement to play attractive cricket with enterprise and enthusiasm, guiding what was a weak Hampshire side when he gained the captaincy from the bottom of the County Championship to fifth place in 1914, and captaining Hampshire to their first victory over the touring Australians.

An example of his positive captaincy came in a rain affected County Championship match against Northamptonshire in 1908; in an era in which declarations were rare, Edward Sprot declared Hampshire's first innings before lunch on the final day of the match, still 24 runs behind Northamptonshire's first innings total.

Edward Sprot scored 12,212 runs for Hampshire at an average of 28.80; he made thirteen centuries and 69 half centuries, with a highest score of 147.

Edward Sprot was considered a fine fielder, taking 230 catches in first-class cricket.

In retirement, Edward Sprot played billiards, golf and sport, in addition to taking up fishing, painting and playing the piano.

Edward Sprot was described by Harry Altham as "about the best dry-fly fisherman in Hampshire".

Edward Sprot died at his home at Lower Bourne in Surrey in October 1945, aged 73.