James "Jem" Broadbridge was an English professional cricketer who is widely considered the outstanding all-rounder in England during the 1820s.
18 Facts About Jem Broadbridge
1.
2.
Jem Broadbridge played mainly for Sussex teams and made 102 known appearances in first-class cricket from 1814 to 1840, being best remembered for his part in the introduction of roundarm bowling.
3.
Jem Broadbridge played for the Players in the Gentlemen v Players series and the South in the North v South series.
4.
Jem Broadbridge took 51 catches and at least 324 wickets.
5.
Jem Broadbridge had an outstanding season in 1825 when inter-county cricket was revived for the first time since 1796, with Sussex playing two matches each against Hampshire and Kent.
6.
Jem Broadbridge repeated the feat in 1828, the year after the roundarm trial matches, when he scored 316 runs at 19.75 and took 46 wickets.
7.
Jem Broadbridge had been arguably the best player in England during the 1820s but he was past his best in the 1830s, although he still had much to offer in terms of knowledge and experience.
8.
Jem Broadbridge was described by Haygarth as "an extremely hard hitter".
9.
Haygarth says that Jem Broadbridge began as a "slinging" bowler who afterwards delivered roundarm.
10.
Jem Broadbridge was quicker than medium pace but varied his length and speed "with effect".
11.
Jem Broadbridge was described as "one of the most fox-headed fellows that ever bowled and was enough to worry and puzzle any man alive".
12.
Jem Broadbridge belonged to a farming family and lived all his life at Duncton.
13.
Jem Broadbridge regularly walked from Duncton to Brighton and back, a 60 miles round trip, to play cricket.
14.
Jem Broadbridge was the son of William and Mary Broadbridge.
15.
Jem Broadbridge died at Duncton in 1843 having not married.
16.
Jem Broadbridge's elder brother William Broadbridge was an occasional Sussex player in 25 matches between 1817 and 1830.
17.
Jem Broadbridge's younger brother Robin was born on 1797 and played four matches between 1822 and 1824.
18.
The Jem Broadbridge brothers were cousins of their Sussex colleague George Millyard.