Edward Banks (cricketer)

Edward Richard Rupert George Banks (12 August 1820 – 7 January 1910) was a Welsh-born English cricketer who played first-class cricket for the Kent County Cricket Club and the amateur Gentlemen of Kent teams in the 1840s.^[1] He was born at Pembrey in Carmarthenshire, Wales and died at Deal, Kent.

Banks' first first-class match was the first fixture for the newly formed Kent County Cricket Club in 1842, and he played intermittently for both the county and the amateur teams through to 1847. Neither his batting nor his bowling styles are known: indeed, though there are indications that he bowled, no bowling figures survive for him, and it is not recorded that he took any wickets in first-class games.^[1] His highest score of 30 was achieved for the Gentlemen of Kent side in 1845 when he opened the batting with his younger brother, William.^[2] He was particularly noted for his fielding, and the obituary in Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 1911 quoted from a contemporary, Fuller Pilch: "He and his youngest brother, Mr. William, were the quickest between the wickets I ever did see, and Mr. Edward was one of the smartest in the long-field. He was like a thorough-bred horse, for no matter how far the ball was off he would try ; and when I sang out 'Go to her, Mr. Edward! Go to her!' he would outrun himself almost, and, as sure as ever he got his hands to her, the ball was like a rat in a trap."^[3]

Banks was the grandson of Sir Edward Banks who built the 19th century London Bridge.^[4] He lived at Sholden Lodge near Deal and was a Justice of the Peace for Kent.^[3]

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