Thomas Plumb (26 July 1833 – 29 March 1905) was an English first-class cricketer. Plumb played first-class cricket for several teams between 1866–79, and was considered by some to be the finest wicket-keeper of his time.

Thomas Plumb
Personal information
Full name
Thomas Plumb
Born26 July 1833
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire,
England
Died29 March 1905(1905-03-29) (aged 71)
Northampton, Northamptonshire,
England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleWicket-keeper
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 26
Runs scored 474
Batting average 12.81
100s/50s –/2
Top score 67
Balls bowled 92
Wickets 3
Bowling average 11.66
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling 3/35
Catches/stumpings 27/15
Source: Cricinfo, 24 June 2019

Life and cricket career

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Plumb, who was born at Aylesbury, was considered the finest wicket-keeper of his time, with W. G. Grace describing him as ‘about the best wicket-keeper of his time.’[1] He was considered by others to have been the equal of Ted Pooley and George Pinder.[1] Plumb was never attached to one of the major county teams of the time, playing for Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, then second-class counties.[2][1] He made his debut in first-class cricket for the North in the North v South fixture of 1866. Between 1866 and 1879, he played first-class cricket for no less than eight teams, including for the Players in the 1869 Gentlemen v Players fixture. He also appeared for All-England teams, including the United England Eleven and the All England Eleven.[2] Making 26 first-class appearances, Plumb scored 474 runs at an average of 12.81, with a high score of 67. Behind the stumps, he took 27 catches and made 15 stumpings.[3]

Outside of cricket he was a publican, running the Queen's Head in Billesdon. In his later years he lived under poor circumstances, perhaps owing to the misfortune of not belonging to a major county during his career.[1] He lived out his final years in a workhouse in Northampton, dying there in March 1905.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Wisden - Obituaries in 1905". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Teams Thomas Plumb played for". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Player profile: Thomas Plumb". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
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