Arthur Wood (cricketer, born 1844)

Arthur Hardy Wood JP (25 May 1844 — 10 September 1933) was an English first-class cricketer.

The third son of the industrialist John Wood,[2] he was born in May 1844 at Thedden Grange in Bentworth, Hampshire. Wood was educated at Eton College,[3] but did not play for the college cricket eleven.[1] Wood made his debut in first-class cricket for Hampshire against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1870. He played six times in first-class cricket for Hampshire in the 1870s,[4] and was appointed Hampshire's third captain in 1879 (though Hampshire played no first-class matches in that season). He was replaced as captain by Russell Bencraft the following season, but did captain Hampshire again, this time in first-class matches between 1883 and 1885,[5] being Hampshire's final captain before their first-class status was revoked at the end of the 1885 season. In total, Wood played 28 first-class matches for Hampshire as a wicket-keeper.[4] In these, he scored 849 runs at an average of 18.45; he made six half centuries, with a highest score of 82. As wicket-keeper, he took 23 catches and made five stumpings.[6] In addition to playing for Hampshire, Wood also made two first-class appearances for the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1880 and 1881.[4] In 1886, he was elected president of Hampshire County Cricket Club and was its vice-president the remainder of his life.[5]

Outside of cricket, Wood was a justice of the peace for Hampshire.[7] He was well known in hunting circles in Hampshire, becoming Master of the Hounds for the Hampshire Hunt in 1884, in addition to serving as its secretary.[5] Later moving to Uckfield in Sussex, Wood became associated with Sussex County Cricket Club, serving as its vice president and was for many years a member of its committee.[5] He died in Hove in September 1933. He was married three times during his life.[7] His son, also called Arthur, played first-class cricket while serving with the Royal Navy.