Nicholas Darnell (cricketer)

Nicholas Darnell (18 November 1817 – 8 April 1892) was an English first-class cricketer, barrister and Catholic priest.

The son of William Nicholas Darnell, he was born at Stockton-on-Tees in November 1817. He was educated at Winchester College, before going up to Exeter College, Oxford in 1836.[1] While studying at Oxford, he made his debut in first-class cricket for the Gentlemen in the Gentlemen v Players fixture of 1836. The following year, he made his debut for Oxford University against the Marylebone Cricket Club and played first-class matches for Oxford until 1840, making a total of eight appearances.[2] Playing as a bowler, Darnell took 28 wickets in his nine first-class matches, taking a five wicket haul once for Oxford University in 1840.[3]

He was elected a fellow of New College, Oxford in 1837,[4] holding the post until 1847. A member of Lincoln's Inn from 1844, Darnell was a practicing barrister.[1] He converted to Catholicism in 1847 and later undertook ecclesiastical duties as a Catholic priest.[5][6] Darnell died in April 1892 at Clifton, Bristol.