Born On This Day: 31st October

Two of the many players who appeared briefly for Hampshire in the difficult early years of the twentieth century were born on this day.

Professional batsman Edward Newton was born in Blackmoor, Hants in 1871 and having played for the county in non-first-class matches from 1890-1894 he appeared in 17 First-Class matches for Hampshire, in 1900, but nothing further. In that season, when Hampshire finished last, he scored 568 runs at 18.32, with three half-centuries, and a best of 69 v Derbyshire at Derby. He died in Edinburgh age just 34.

Thomas Chignell was born in Havant in 1880. He was a left-handed batsman and medium-slow bowler who played in 19 matches for Hampshire from 1901-1904. He averaged 10 with the bat (HS 29*) and took 33 wickets at 33.57, with a best of 5-68 v Derbyshire at Southampton in 1903, when he also scored 24* in the only Championship match they won that year – and by 261 runs. He died in Portsmouth in 1965.