On 31 August 1769, John Minshull (or Minchin) became the first recorded cricketer to score a century, while playing for either Sevenoaks or the Duke of Dorset's XI. His innings, marked by 34 singles and four all-run fours, took place on a sheep-grazed pitch and set a historic milestone, albeit with controversies over earlier claims. Minshull's prior employment as a gardener to the Duke highlights the intertwining of social status and sports. Despite his humbling performance, his confidence drew criticism from contemporaries like John Nyren, illustrating the complexities of early cricket history.
Minshull's hundred was at the very least the first one recorded. His extraordinary innings consisted of 34 singles, 15 twos, nine threes, and four all-run fours.
John Nyren described Minshull as 'conceited as a wagtail', suggesting his impressive performance led to a confidence that perhaps overshadowed a genuine assessment of his skill.
The match, played on a pitch tended by grazing sheep, showcased cricket’s early days, with Minshull's achievement blurring the lines of definitive cricketing history.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s innings of 171* in June 2017 exemplified cricket's evolution from Minshull’s time, marking a step towards modernity with substantial audience engagement.
Collection
[
|
...
]