Greatest Cricket Moments

John Wells's Retirement Match — Surrey v MCC, August 1809

1809-08-30Surrey vs MCCSurrey v MCC, Lord's Middle Ground, 30-31 August 18091 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

On 30-31 August 1809 John Wells of Farnham — the elder of the great Wells fast-bowling brothers — played his last major match: Surrey against MCC at the new Middle Ground at North Bank. He took 3 for 28 in the first innings and was carried from the field by the Surrey team at the close. He was forty-one and had bowled in major cricket for twenty years.

Background

Wells had been part of Surrey's bowling attack since 1789 and had taken more than 600 wickets in major cricket.

What Happened

Wells had announced his retirement in May 1809. The Surrey committee scheduled the August match against MCC as his benefit. He bowled fourteen overs in the first innings and took 3 for 28 — modest but characteristic. Surrey lost the match, but Wells was given a purse of fifty guineas at the close and the Surrey players carried him from the field on their shoulders, a rare and ceremonial gesture in Regency cricket.

Timeline

c. 1768

Wells born at Farnham

1789

First major match for Surrey

30-31 Aug 1809

Retirement match at Lord's

1835

Wells dies at Farnham

Aftermath

Wells lived on at Farnham until 1835. He coached his nephew, the young James Aylward Jr, through the 1810s.

⚖️ The Verdict

A fitting end to one of the great Regency fast-bowling careers.

Legacy & Impact

Wells is one of the leading figures in the history of Surrey cricket and one of the named bowlers of the late underarm era.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Wells do after retirement?▾
He returned to Farnham and ran a small cricket-bat workshop, coaching local boys. He never played in another major match.

Tags

#regency-cricket#underarm#john-wells#retirement#surrey#1809#iconic-moment

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