John Marshall (cricketer, born 1796)

John Marshall (1796 – 7 September 1876) was an Australian cricketer who played three first-class cricket games for Tasmania.

John Marshall

Personal information
Full name	John Marshall
Born	1796 England
Died	7 September 1876 (aged 79–80) New Town, Tasmania
Role	Wicket-keeper
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1850/51–1853/54	Tasmania
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 3 Runs scored 46 Batting average 7.66 100s/50s –/– Top score 13 Balls bowled 12 Wickets – Bowling average – 5 wickets in innings – 10 wickets in match – Best bowling – Catches/stumpings –/1
Source: Cricinfo, 2 January 2011

He has the distinction of having captained, and been the wicketkeeper for Tasmania in the first ever first-class cricket match in Australia, which Tasmania won.[1] He stumped the Victorian batsman T.W. Antill for 0 off the bowling of William Henty, making him the first wicket-keeper to effect a stumping in first-class cricket in Australia. His wicket-keeping was described in the Melbourne press as "seldom surpassed in England – almost perfect; as sharp as a needle".[2] Marshall captained Tasmania in all three matches in which he represented the colony, with a record of two wins and one loss.

He was famous for having never cut his beard since his teen years. John Marshall was 58 when he played his last game for Tasmania, holding a record which survives to this day as Australia's oldest ever first-class cricketer. He played for Hobart Town Cricket Club for over twenty years, and was one of their all-time champions, still holding many local records in the Tasmanian Grade Cricket competition.

In 1840 he married a Miss Tabart, daughter of a "gentleman farmer" from Oatlands. He worked for the Bank of Van Diemen's Land, retiring as senior accountant.[3]

John Marshall died on 7 September 1876, in New Town, Tasmania at the age of 80.