George Osbaldeston, an allrounder who bowled fast underarm, was one of the leading figures in the game in the early 19th century. Expelled from Eton, he narrowly avoided being sent down from Oxford and spent much of his life trying to fund his lifestyle after his mother squandered his inheritance. He was elected an MP in 1812 but resigned in 1816 after failing to show any interest in politics. His main association was with the MCC but he also turned out for Surrey and Sussex and was a renowned single-wicket player. He was eventually forced from the game in 1818 after crossing the vindictive Lord Frederick Beauclerk who had him thrown out of the MCC. Outside cricket, Osbaldeston was a keen follower of hunting, shooting and fishing. He was Master of the Quorn, bagged 95 brace of partridge in a day, and once fought a pistol duel with Lord George Bentinck. In 1831 he wagered £1000 that he could ride 200 miles in ten hours - using 28 horses, he did it in seven hours ten minutes.
Martin Williamson