Lucius Gwynn

Infobox Old Cricketer


nationality = Irish
country = Ireland
country abbrev = Ire
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngname = Lucius Gwynn
batting style = Right-handed batsman
bowling style = Right-arm medium
FCs = 8
FC runs = 577
FC bat avg = 44.38
FC 100s/50s = 2/3
FC top score = 153*
FC balls = 1101
FC wickets = 18
FC bowl avg = 22.77
FC 5s = 0
FC 10s = 0
FC best bowling = 4/81
FC catches/stumpings = 10/0
debut date = 20 May
debut year = 1895
last date = 22 May
last year = 1902
source = http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/26/26762/26762.html Cricket Archive

Lucius Henry Gwynn (born 5 May 1873 in County Donegal, Ireland; died 23 December 1902 in Davos-Platz, Switzerland [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/26/26762/26762.html Cricket Archive profile] ] ) was an Irish cricketer. He was a right-handed batsman.

Playing career

Primarily noted for his bowling prowess during early outings with the Dublin University XI, Gwynn took 44 wickets at an average of 8.14 in Trinity's annus mirabilis of 1893, a season which witnessed victories over Leicestershire, Oxford University, Warwickshire (dismissed for a paltry total of 15 runs) and a draw against Essex."Ireland's 100 Cricket Greats" by Gerard Siggins, James Fitzgerald.]

Gwynn, who recorded the highest first class average (56.87) amongst those batsmen who completed ten innings or more during the English season of 1895 [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/Seasonal_Averages/ENG/1895_f_Batting_by_Average.html First-class batting averages in England in 1895 at Cricket Archive] ] , enjoyed another remarkably productive season in 1896, plundering over a thousand runs in Trinity flannels, a superlative effort complemented by a haul of 93 wickets at 9.37. Gwynn's irrepressible form reputedly earned him an invitation to represent England against Australia in the second Ashes Test at Old Trafford in July 1896. However, concurrent university examinations rendered Gwynn unable to participate. [http://www.cricket.tcdlife.ie/newsite/history.php History of Dublin University Cricket Club] ] Instead, English cricket was introduced to the wizardry of K.S. Ranjitsinhji, who took Gwynn's place.

He made his debut for Ireland against I Zingari in July 1892 and went onto play for Ireland 13 times, his last game coming in May 1902 against the MCC. [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CSTATZ/irelandall/ire1133.htm CricketEurope Stats Zone profile] ] Two of his matches for Ireland had first-class status. [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/26/26762/First-Class_Matches.html First-class matches played by Lucius Gwynn at Cricket Archive] ]

He also played first-class cricket in two Gentlemen v Players matches, representing the gentlemen, and four matches for Dublin University in 1895, for whom he made his top score of 153 not out [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/26/26762/f_Batting_by_Team.html First-class batting for each team by Lucius Gwynn at Cricket Archive] ] against Leicestershire. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/26/26762/f_Batting_by_Opponent.html First-class batting record against each opponent by Lucius Gwynn at Cricket Archive] ] In all, he amassed 3,195 runs and 311 wickets for Dublin University, in addition to 499 runs and 14 wickets for Ireland.

Rugby Union

Remarkably, Gwynn also represented Ireland seven times at rugby union, debuting against Scotland at Belfast in February 1893. He featured in all three legs of Ireland's 1894 Triple Crown-winning campaign. [ [http://www.scrum.com/1200_1205.php?player=23923 Rugby Union statistics from scrum.com] ]

Death

Lucius Gwynn was diagnosed with tuberculosis late in 1902. He finally succumbed to the disease on December 23 1902, in the care of a Swiss sanatorium which had vainly attempted to restore him to health. He was 29 years old. [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CSTATZ/irelandall/bio/g/gwynn_lh.html CricketEurope Stats Zone biography] ]

Family

Two of his brothers also represented Ireland at cricket (Arthur and Robert) as did his cousin Donough O'Brien. A third brother, John played first-class cricket in India, and his nephew John also played for Dublin University.

References