James Hodson Cricketer

James Hodson (30 October 1808 – 17 March 1879) was an English cricketer. Hodson was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm roundarm medium pace. He was born at Ditchling, Sussex. Hodson made his first-class debut for Sussex against Kent in 1838. Sussex County Cricket Club was formed the following season, with Hodson playing in the teams first-class debut against the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord's Cricket Ground. In total, Hodson made 51 first-class appearances for Sussex, the last of which came against Surrey in 1854. In his fifty-one first-class matches for Sussex, Hodson took 95 wickets with his roundarm bowling, at an average of 15.58. He took three five wicket hauls during his career, achieving best innings figures against the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1839. Hodson took 8 wickets in the Marylebone Cricket Club's first-innings, though his exact bowling figures are not recorded. These figures made Hodson the first person to take a five wicket haul for Sussex County Cricket Club. With the bat, Hodson scored 554 runs at a batting average of 7.48, with a high score of 44. In addition to play for Sussex late in its pre-county club era, as well as for the county club, Hodson also made a single first-class appearance each for England, the Players, and an All England Eleven. He died at Hunston Mill, near Hunston, Sussex on 17 March 1879.