George Davenport (cricketer)

Davenport was born in Nantwich. He was employed as a groundsman at Lord's for many years.[1] His debut in first-class cricket came for the North of England in the North v South fixture of 1884 at Lord's.[2] He made four first-class appearances for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1885, as well as appearing again in the North v South fixture.[2] He played in three matches for the MCC in 1886, as well as appearing in the North v South fixture and for CI Thornton's XI against the touring Australians.[2] Davenport played three first-class matches in 1887, appearing once more in the North v South fixture, as well as for the MCC and the Players of the North in the Players of the South versus Players of the North match.[2] He appeared once for the MCC in 1888, before making four appearances for the club in 1889.[2]

He continued to play first-class cricket for the MCC into the early 1890s, making two appearances in 1890, two in 1891 and one in 1893.[2] His final first-class appearances came in 1895 and 1896, when he made three more appearances for the MCC.[2] Making a total of 27 appearances in first-class cricket, mostly as a wicket-keeper, Davenport scored 625 runs at an average of 16.44.[3] He made one century, which he made against Hampshire in 1885 at Southampton.[4] He played minor counties cricket for Cheshire in the 1895 Minor Counties Championship, including playing in Cheshire's inaugural match in the competition against Staffordshire.[5]

Davenport also stood as an umpire in two first-class matches, separated by a period of over a decade.[6] He died at Nantwich in October 1902, aged 42.[1]

• George Davenport at ESPNcricinfo