Greatest Cricket Moments

Fuller Pilch's First Major Century — Norfolk v Yorkshire, August 1824

1824-08-26Norfolk vs YorkshireNorfolk v Yorkshire, Holt Ground, Norfolk, 26-27 August 18241 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

On 26-27 August 1824 Fuller Pilch — twenty-one years old, the rising star of Norfolk cricket — scored his first major century, 117 against Yorkshire at Holt. The innings announced the player who would, through the 1830s and 1840s, be the leading professional batter in England.

Background

Pilch was already known as a coming player. The 1824 century moved him from prospect to top-rank.

What Happened

Pilch had been born at Horningtoft, Norfolk, in 1804 and had played for Norfolk since 1820. By 1824 he was twenty-one and at the threshold of major recognition. The August 1824 match against Yorkshire was raised at the Holt ground in north Norfolk. Pilch came in at no. 3 with Norfolk 22 for 2 and stayed at the wicket for the remainder of the day, scoring 117. Norfolk won the match by 73 runs.

Timeline

1804

Pilch born at Horningtoft, Norfolk

1820

Begins playing for Norfolk

26-27 Aug 1824

First major century

1840s

Leading professional batter in England

Aftermath

Pilch became the leading professional batter in England through the 1830s and was a central figure in Kent's golden age of the 1840s.

⚖️ The Verdict

The first major century of one of the great early-Victorian batting careers.

Legacy & Impact

Fuller Pilch is one of the most important figures of the roundarm era. His 1824 century is the start of his elite career.

Tags

#roundarm-era#fuller-pilch#norfolk#century#1824#iconic-moment

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