Born in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on 11 December 1860, James Riley was 37 years old when in May 1898 he played his two First-Class games for Notts: He scored 3 and had a bowling analysis of 0-49 versus Derbyshire at Trent Bridge. He did not bat or bowl in his second match versus MCC at Lord’s, the rain-ruined match restricted to just 21 five-ball overs. He was a right hand bat and a right-arm medium pace bowler with a break from the off, who was given trials in the Notts Colts XXII in 1882 and 1883. He also played for the Colts of England v MCC at Lord’s in 1882. In 1890 he appeared for the Next XVI v Notts when he was the highest scorer for his side. In 1891 he played for Notts v XXII Colts. He played in a two-day friendly for Notts versus Staffordshire at Stoke in 1893, having match figures of 5-21. He next appeared for the County v Colts in April 1898 when he took 9-28 - a performance which led to selection for his two First-Class games.
He had the following professional cricketing engagements: Hull Town (1881), Nottingham Banks (1882); Surrey Club and Ground (1883-85), Leeds Grammar School (1886); Nelson (1887); Bradford (1893 to 1895); Scarborough (1897).
James Riley, who died in California (not that one, in Derbyshire) on 8 November 1937, was the uncle of William Riley who took 235 wickets for Notts between 1909 and 1914.
May 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 253