Born on 23 December 1867 in Awsworth, Meshach (Meshack) Chambers - known as “Billie” - was a medium pace bowler and a useful bat. His only appearance in First-Class cricket was for Notts v Warwickshire at Trent Bridge in May 1894 when he scored 2 and 4 and bowled 21-12-22-1. He owed this trial to an innings of 48 that he scored in the Colts match earlier in the same season, this being the highest score made by a Colt in 10 years.
Between 1890 and 1894 he was a professional for Enfield CC in Middlesex and then from 1898 and 1911 Billie Chambers played in 57 Minor Counties Championship matches for Northumberland scoring 1,284 runs @14.10 and taking 40 wickets @30.45.
He was professional for St George’s CC and Old Novocastrians CC whilst up in the North East. From 1916 to 1919 he was coach and groundsman at the Newcastle Grammar School and had a sports outfitters in the City. He died on 23 June 1920 in the Royal Victory Infirmary, Newcastle, at the age of 52.
His younger brother John Daine Chambers was also a professional cricketer, playing in Morpeth in 1911.
June 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 228