William Fennex

William Fennex (born c.1764 at Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire; died 4 March 1838 at Stepney, London) was a famous English cricketer. He was a noted all-rounder and right-arm underarm fast bowler who played major cricket from 1786 to 1816.[1][2]

As a batsman, Fennex was reputed to be one of the first to use forward play and was said to be a good driver of the ball.[1] As a bowler, at a time when only underarm bowling was permitted, he was said to have the highest delivery of anybody, "his hand, when propelling the ball, being nearly on a level with his shoulder".[3]

He began his working life as a blacksmith, and stood five feet ten inches tall, "muscular and abstemious".[3] His playing career began with Berkshire in 1785 but he was chiefly associated with Middlesex and was keeper of the ground at Uxbridge. He made 85 known first-class appearances until 1800 and then played occasionally, making nine more appearances from 1802 to 1816. He played for the Players in the inaugural Gentlemen v Players match in 1806.[4]

He kept the Portman Arms inn at Marylebone for a time, and in old age was employed as a gardener and groundsman.[3] Like William Beldham, he provided James Pycroft with his reminiscences.