Percy William Oscroft was born in Nottingham on 27 November 1872 and played for Nottinghamshire from 1894 to 1900.
An amateur cricketer, Percy worked as a schoolmaster in Newcastle, but returned to Nottingham in the school holidays to play for the County, firstly in August 1894 and then during the three following seasons. He made a final appearance for the County in August 1900. Of Oscroft’s 18 First-Class matches, 16 were in County Championship fixtures which commenced in late July or in August.
A right handed batsman, Oscroft scored 409 runs for Notts, recording a top score of 40 against Middlesex at Trent Bridge in August 1896. He bowled occasionally and claimed two wickets with his left arm medium pace. He also played rugby union for Rosslyn Park, Richmond, Leicester and Barbarians
Percy subsequently moved to Hornsey in London and taught science at Uppingham School, during which time he wrote a number of chemistry text books. His son, Donald Straker Oscroft, later played a handful of games for Leicestershire.
Percy Oscroft died aged 61 on 8 December 1933 in St John’s Wood, London.
November 2023
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 236