Born on 4 June 1860 in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Joseph Banner Briggs was a right-hand batsman and a slow left-arm bowler. He made his First-Class debut for Louis Hall’s XI v Alfred Shaw’s Australian XI at Park Avenue, Bradford on 14, 15 and 16 September 1885, scoring 6. Three years later, he made his Notts debut v MCC at Lord’s in July 1888. In a game where rain curtailed play, he took 3-32 in the MCC’s only innings. He played in a further five First-Class matches for Nottinghamshire in 1888, the highlight being his 5-35 versus Gloucestershire at Trent Bridge. For Notts he scored 20 runs @2.00 and took 14 wickets @12.00.
He had the following known professional engagements; Leeds Clarence (1880), Nelson (1882-1883), Malton (1883), Scarborough (1883-1887), Bowling Old Lane (1884, 1888), York (1885) and Keighley (1889-1893). In addition to his cricketing ability, Briggs was a useful Rugby League footballer at full-back. He died on 1 December 1902 aged 42 years in Bramley in Leeds.
He was the elder brother of Johnny Briggs (1862-1902), the famous Lancashire and England cricketer. His father James Briggs (1837-1899) was a professional cricketer with Sutton-in-Ashfield, Hornsea, Dudley and Widnes.
June 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 202