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Lord Frederick Beauclerk (1773–1850) was an outstanding but controversial English first-class cricketer for 35 years from 1791 to 1825. On his retirement, he served as president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1826. Beauclerk was the fourth son of the 5th Duke of St Albans and became a clergyman. He was Vicar of St. Michael's Church at St Albans and a Doctor of Divinity. ==Cricket career== Born 8 May 1773, London, Beauclerk was a right-handed batsman and a right arm slow underarm bowler who was a recognised all-rounder.〔 He generally fielded at slip.〔 His career spanned the 1791 to 1825 seasons.〔 In his prime, his height was and he weighed between .〔 He played at Cambridge University where his talent as an accurate slow bowler was spotted by the Earl of Winchilsea, who invited him to play for MCC.〔Birley, p.49.〕 Beauclerk's first-class debut was for MCC v Gentlemen of Kent at Lord's Old Ground on 2 & 3 June 1791.〔(CricketArchive – match scorecard ). Retrieved on 26 July 2009.〕 Beauclerk was "now but 18 years of age".〔 He played two first-class matches in the 1791 season but then was unavailable until the 1795 season while he completed his studies. He then became a regular and prolific player. Having started as a bowler, he developed his batting skills and became better known as a hard-hitting batsman, but remained a genuine all-rounder. Beauclerk played for the Gentlemen in the inaugural and second Gentlemen v Players matches in 1806.〔(CricketArchive – scorecard of inaugural Gentlemen v Players match ). Retrieved on 26 July 2009.〕〔(CricketArchive – scorecard of second Gentlemen v Players match ). Retrieved on 26 July 2009.〕 Beauclerk scored 170 as a given man playing for Homerton against Montpelier in 1807, a match not widely recognised as first-class.〔(CricketArchive – scorecard, including match status ). Retrieved on 26 July 2009.〕 This score set a world record for the highest individual innings in all forms of cricket that lasted until 1820 when it was beaten by William Ward's score of 278.〔(CricInfo – From Minshull to Collins ). Retrieved on 26 July 2009.〕 In 1810, Beauclerk and Thomas Howard were due to play George Osbaldeston and William Lambert in a lucrative single wicket match. Osbaldeston was taken ill just before the match and Beauclerk flatly refused to postpone it, saying: "Play or pay".〔 Lambert had to play on his own but he was a canny professional who was well aware of Beauclerk's weakness: his uncontrollable temper.〔 By deliberately bowling wide, Lambert caused Beauclerk to lose both his temper and his wicket with the result that Lambert won the match by 15 runs.〔Altham, p.56.〕 The humiliated and vindictive Beauclerk would have his revenge on Osbaldeston and Lambert in years to come but first he used his influence at MCC to secure a change in the Laws of Cricket so that wide balls were for the first time banned in 1811.〔Birley, p.57.〕 In 1817, Beauclerk played in a highly controversial match at Nottingham in which he captained an All-England team while Osbaldeston and Lambert were given men for Nottingham.〔Bowen, p.82.〕 Accusations of match-fixing were made by both sides and Beauclerk was able to produce witnesses who implicated Lambert. As a result, MCC banned Lambert from ever playing again at Lord's Cricket Ground.〔Birley, p.61.〕 Osbaldeston's turn came in 1818 after he too lost his temper when beaten at single wicket by George Brown of Sussex. Osbaldeston was so angry that he resigned his MCC membership. Later, he repented and asked to be reinstated but Beauclerk refused his application.〔 Beauclerk persuaded MCC to call a meeting to ban roundarm bowling in 1822 even though he had been known to claim wagers when playing alongside the early roundarmers like John Willes.〔 According to Lord Harris: "When he (Willes) played on the side of Lord Frederick his bowling was fair, when against him, the contrary".〔Birley, p.64.〕 Beauclerk was the second president of MCC in 1826, playing for its team in minor matches while in office.〔 Thereafter, he was a regular attendee at Lord's to watch matches and was occasionally involved in them as a patron.〔Birley, p.76.〕 A "persistent symbol of insensitive autocracy long after his retirement", he was invariably accompanied by a "nasty, yapping dog" whereas the rule for everyone else was: "No dogs allowed".〔Birley, p.87.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Lord Frederick Beauclerk」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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