GL Jessop Credit Gloucestershire CCC
Gilbert Laird Jessop was a’ batting phenomenon’ in the late 19th and early 20th century and still holds the record for the fastest century by an Englishman in a test match, achieved at the Oval over 120 years ago. He was once described by Richie Benaud as ‘The best one-day player ever, never to have played that form of the game!’
Here are a series of articles by Bill Williams from the online magazine, Playing Pasts that look at Jessop’s school and early career, his greatest moment and the illness that ended it all!
Parallel Lives: Gilbert and Gustav, Two Cotswold Lads Destined for Greatness
In the early 20th century, two former Cheltenham Grammar School boys born one hundred and fifty years ago whose paths would only briefly cross, gained national and international notoriety creating a legacy that still prevails today.
Grace and Favour: How W.G. Took a Chance on a Young Gilbert Jessop.
In the seventy years since the death of the ‘legendary cricketer’ Gilbert Laird Jessop, a great deal has been written about the record he set in the 5th Ashes Test at the Oval in 1902… However, what is perhaps rarely mentioned, is the important role played by the most famous of cricketers Dr William Gilbert Grace.
G.L.Jessop and The First Recorded Boys v Girls Cricket Match.
A move to Burford in Oxfordshire in 1893, proved to be a major turning point in the early career of the future England all-rounder and indirectly, the lives of a group of young girls, who wanted to play cricket!
Botham’s Test and Jessop’s Match: Anniversaries and Kindred Spirits.
The summer of 2021 marked the 40th anniversary of ‘Botham’s Test’, which for many represented a magical moment of triumph over adversity, leading the distinguished Cricket Correspondent of The Evening Standard, John Thicknesse to assert that even ‘Gilbert Jessop could not have bettered it’.
At the Oval in August 1902, many would argue that another charismatic England all-rounder, actually did!
Jessop’s Last Hurrah.
By the early summer of 1916, Captain Gilbert Laird Jessop, was suffering from severe lumbago and was sent by his regimental Doctor to Bath, for ‘Radiant Heat Treatment’. However, due to a malfunction with the apparatus involved, Jessop suffered permanent damage to his heart and the sporting career of this great athlete had come to an end. He was just 42, but would never play any form of cricket again!
