John Ashby Lester was an American cricketer, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and a teacher.
16 Facts About John Lester
2.
From 1897 until his retirement in 1908, Lester led the batting averages in Philadelphia and captained all the international home matches.
3.
John Lester was born in Penrith in Cumberland, England in 1871.
4.
John Lester began playing cricket at a very young age.
5.
John Lester was playing a game in Yorkshire in 1892 when he met Dr Isaac Sharpless.
6.
John Lester won the Cope Bat every year during his time at Haverford.
7.
John Lester captained Haverford on their first overseas tour, scoring 105 against the MCC on his first appearance at Lord's.
8.
Behind a dominant bowling performance by Bart King, John Lester helped to seal the victory with his batting.
9.
John Lester continued in the second innings with 34 not out.
10.
John Lester was the best batsmen on the Philadelphian side; beginning with 72 not out in his first match, he kept up his form all through the tour, scoring 891 runs for an average 37.12.
11.
John Lester was chosen to captain the Philadelphians in 1903 and 1908 on their tours to England.
12.
Against Leicestershire in August 1903, John Lester made his highest score in first-class cricket.
13.
John Lester did manage to take 4 wickets in the Philadelphians' loss to Kent.
14.
John Lester helped to lift Philadelphia cricket to the highest levels of international play with his leadership and understanding of the sport.
15.
John Lester received his PhD in education from Harvard University in 1902 and for many years was head of the English department at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania and served as a university professor.
16.
John Lester died in 1969 and as a lasting memorial, the pavilion at Cope Field is named in his honor.