Brief profile of John Crossland by Don Ambrose

---

Player:

J Crossland

---

CROSSLAND, John.
Professional.
Born at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, 2nd April 1852.
Died at Blackburn, Lancashire, 26th September 1903.
A coal miner by occupation, he was first employed as a professional cricketer by Enfield, Lancashire, in 1876 and he stayed with them until 1880. He was first tried in the Lancashire county team in 1878 and was engaged by the Lancashire CCC at Old Trafford in 1881. He was a most effective fast bowler but his action was considered by many to be a pure throw. After 1885 he was unable to play for Lancashire, not because of his bowling action, but because he failed to maintain his residential qualification. He continued to play his cricket with Lancashire clubs and lived for a time at Clayton-le-Moors. From 1885 to 1889 he was with the east Lancashire Club, at Blackburn, in 1890 at Church, Oswaldtwistle and in 1891 at Colne.
When he died he was resident in Lancashire and buried at Blackburn at the expense of the Lancashire County Cricket Club.
At the time of the 1881 Census he was lodging at 4 Chapel Walk, Westgate, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, aged 29 and a coal miner. He was at the house of John Spencer, also a coal miner, his wife Eliza and their three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Crossland and family could not be traced.

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Don Ambrose)