William Light (cricketer)

William Frederick Light (1 March 1878 — 10 November 1930) was an English first-class cricketer.

Light was born at Winchester in March 1878. A professional cricketer,[1] he made his debut in first-class cricket for Hampshire against Essex at Southampton in the 1897 County Championship. He played first-class cricket for Hampshire until 1898, making twelve appearances.[2] Playing as a left-arm fast-medium and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, he took 10 wickets for Hampshire at an average of 34.30, with best figures of 3 for 32.[3] Following the 1898 season, he was employed as a cricket coach at Marlborough College, before moving to Devon, qualifying to play for Devon County Cricket Club by 1902 having gained his residential qualification.[4] His debut for Devon in minor counties cricket came against Monmouthshire in the 1902 Minor Counties Championship. Light played minor counties cricket for Devon until 1928, making 165 appearances.[5] He took 587 wickets for Devon at an average of 17.41, taking a five wicket haul on 43 occasions and ten wickets in a match on seven occasions. His best innings bowling figures were 9 for 55.[6] He is Devon's second highest wicket-taker in the Minor Counties Championship, behind Doug Yeabsley (733).[7] Light also scored 6,388 runs in the Minor Counties Championship for Devon, at a batting average of 28.86. He made seven centuries and 38 half centuries, with a highest score of 157.[8] Light married at Crediton in September 1905,[1] and died suddenly at Exeter in November 1930.[4] His brother, Elisha, was also a first-class cricketer.