Durling (Surrey cricketer)

The Surrey and All-England cricketer called Durling (first name, date of birth and date of death unknown) was a noted player in the mid-18th century, although nothing is known of him outside mentions in match reports.

He played for the famous Addington Cricket Club and he is first recorded in the 1748 season when he took part in a "fives" match for high stakes alongside other leading players of the day, his team winning.^[1] Earlier the same year, on 6 June, in another "fives" game between Addington and "The Rest of England excluding Kent", Addington’s players were Tom Faulkner, Joe Harris, John Harris, George Jackson and the shoemaker that lately came out of Kent! As Durling was himself apparently new that season, it is possible that he was the mysterious shoemaker.^[2]

In 1749, when All-England played his native Surrey and were a man short, they picked Durling from their opponents to complete the side.^[2] Later that year, when Addington played All-England in a "fives" match, Durling played for a very strong Addington side alongside Faulkner, Jackson and the Harris brothers.^[2]

Durling features in big matches through the 1750s, playing against Hambledon in 1756 and for All-England on other occasions including the games against Dartford in 1759. He is last recorded in the 1761 season.^[1]

References

1. From Lads to Lord's – profile.
2. F S Ashley-Cooper, At the Sign of the Wicket: Cricket 1742-1751, Cricket Magazine, 1900