14 Facts About Gilbert Jessop

Gilbert Laird Jessop was an English cricket player, often reckoned to have been the fastest run-scorer cricket has ever known.

Gilbert Jessop was Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1898.

Gilbert Jessop came to the crease with England at 48 for 5.

Gilbert Jessop scored his first 50 runs in 43 minutes and reached his century in 75 minutes.

Gilbert Jessop was eventually dismissed after 77 minutes for 104, which included 17 fours and an all-run five.

Gilbert Jessop could maintain great stamina; however, he suffered a back strain in his debut Test from being over-bowled which plagued his career.

Gilbert Jessop was a quick fielder, giving Gloucestershire a reputation for strength in the field.

Gilbert Jessop's fielding was a matter of great pride to him.

Gilbert Jessop first played for Gloucestershire in 1894, and a short innings of 30 against the deadly bowling of Mold and Briggs was seen as indicating a promising player.

In 1897 when Gilbert Jessop did the "double" of 1000 runs and 100 wickets, Wisden made him a Cricketer of the Year 1898.

Gilbert Jessop went up to Christ's College, Cambridge in 1896, intending to study for the priesthood, although this was not to materialise as he left without taking a degree.

Gilbert Jessop played for the Cambridge University side for four seasons, being captain in the last.

When scoring centuries, Gilbert Jessop batted with a scoring rate of 82.7 runs per hour.

Gilbert Jessop died on 11 May 1955, in Dorchester, Dorset, England, from congestive heart failure, at the age of 80.