George Dickinson (Canterbury cricketer)

Born in Yorkshire, Dickinson played in the first recorded cricket match in Christchurch in December 1851, when he was 23.[1] The match took place in Hagley Park, between a Working Men's Eleven (Dickinson's team) and a Christchurch Cricket Club Eleven, as part of the celebrations marking a year since the foundation of Christchurch. Dickinson was one of the most successful batsmen and bowlers in the match.[2] He appeared in a similar celebratory match 20 years later, this time for Old Chums against New Chums, and once again succeeded with both bat and ball.[1]

An accurate slow round-arm bowler, able to break the ball either way off the pitch,[3][4] Dickinson played in the first seven first-class matches in New Zealand, representing Canterbury in their annual match against Otago beginning with the inaugural match in January 1864.[5] His best figures against Otago included 3 for 7 in 1864 and 3 for 17 in 1867, but his most successful match was in 1869, when he scored 30 in the first innings, took 4 for 43, then made 8 not out in the second innings to help Canterbury avert defeat.[4][6]

He umpired four first-class matches in New Zealand between 1873 and 1885.[7]

Dickinson was one of the first settlers in St Albans, which is now a northern suburb of Christchurch, where he had a farm to the south of the St Albans Creek. He called his farm St Albans in memory of his cousin Harriet Mellon, an actress, who had become the Duchess of St Albans in England. When residents were looking for a name for the district, he suggested St Albans, and it was adopted.[8] He served on the St Albans borough council for 14 years.[3]

Dickinson's first wife, Marianne, died in April 1884.[9] His second wife, Janet, died in March 1895.[10] He died suddenly at his home in Westminster Street, St Albans, on 14 June 1913, aged 85. He was survived by his third wife, Jessie.[4][11]

• George Dickinson at ESPNcricinfo
• George Dickinson at CricketArchive (subscription required)