Samuel Sharpe, a framework knitter from Ruddington, had a brief encounter with First-Class cricket, playing two matches for Nottinghamshire in 1868. Both games were at Trent Bridge, versus Lancashire and then Yorkshire. He had three innings, scoring 29 runs with a best of 13, in the Lancashire game, and an average 9.66; he also took three catches and did not bowl.
Sharpe also appeared for the XXII Colts in that season and again in 1870, though without any greater success. He was a right-hand medium pace round-arm bowler, a useful bat and a good fielder. His professional appointments included Liverpool, Rock Ferry, Bolton, Chigwell Grammar, Shrewsbury School and two seasons with Mr Seaton at Heath House, Aston-on-Clun, Shropshire.
Whilst playing in the Liverpool area, he appeared twice against the 1878 Australian tourists, scoring 5 and 0 in the first game and 3 in the second, ‘fill-up’ match, in which he also took the only two Australian wickets to fall.
Samuel Sharpe was born in Ruddington on 13 January 1839 and died in his home village on 5 November 1924. His son, John William Sharpe, played First-Class cricket for Notts and for Surrey and appeared in three Test Matches for England – all against Australia.
July 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 116