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 made by the Hambledon Club. In 1774, however, before Taylor's first match, this improvement in the game will be found in the laws, and it is therefore now impossible to reconcile these conflicting statements. He was a native of Ropley, in Hampshire, but lived some time at Alresford, where he kept an inn. He is buried in Old Alresford churchyard; but no tombstone was erected to his memory, nor was his name or age to be found in the register of burials, which was searched. The Sporting Magazine, however, of April 29th, 1806, states that 'Thomas Taylor, the famous cricketer of the Globe Inn, died lately.' On searching the register of baptisms at Ropley, his name is found inserted there October 18th, 1753; his age, therefore, was, as nearly as possible, 52. Nyren, in his account of the Hambledon Club men, states that 'he was without guile, and an attached friend '.

first recorded match. He was one of the most successful batsmen of the Hambledon Club when in its prime, though (owing to his marriage) he did not continue the game above nine seasons. Curiously enough John Nyren in his history of Hambledon Cricketers makes no mention of him, though he does nearly all the others. His name was no doubt accidentally omitted. Was born at New Alresford, in Hampshire where he resided (being engaged in mercantile pursuits till 1784, when he removed to Bishops Waltham in the same county). His height was about 5ft. 9¼in. and he was a well-grown man. He is buried in a vault in Old Alresford churchyard over which a handsome monument to his memory bears the following inscription:—