Charles Toppin (Cambridge University cricketer)

Charles Toppin (9 August 1864 – 8 June 1928) was an English cricketer who played 25 first-class matches in the late 19th century. The bulk of these (20) were for Cambridge University, but he also appeared twice each for the Gentlemen and Gentlemen of England, and once for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

Charles Toppin
Personal information
Born(1864-08-09)9 August 1864
Skelton, Cumberland
Died8 June 1928(1928-06-08) (aged 63)
Great Malvern, Worcestershire
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1885 to 1887Cambridge University
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 25
Runs scored 319
Batting average 8.86
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 39
Balls bowled 4,956
Wickets 81
Bowling average 25.41
5 wickets in innings 2
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 7/51
Catches/stumpings 14/–
Source: Cricinfo, 6 August 2015

Charles Toppin was educated at Sedbergh School and St John's College, Cambridge.[1] He made his first-class debut for Cambridge against C. I. Thornton's England XI in May 1885, claiming Thornton's wicket as his first at this level.[2] His best bowling figures came in the Varsity Match against Oxford University at Lord's later that same season, when his first-innings return of 7-51 set up a seven-wicket victory.[3]

Toppin appeared for the Gentlemen against the Players at Lord's in 1885 and 1886, while he continued to play for Cambridge until 1887, being selected for both Varsity matches. After a gap of several years, he made one final first-class appearance in 1891 when he played for MCC against Somerset at Taunton.[4] He also played several times for Cumberland and for Worcestershire in its pre-first-class days.[5]

He was a master for 42 years at Malvern College, Worcestershire, where he also coached the cricket team. He encouraged batsmen to attack, with an emphasis on front-foot drives. Several of his pupils became Test players, including R. E. Foster, Frank Mann, Donald Knight and Errol Holmes.[6]

Two of Toppin's sons, another Charles and John, each played briefly for Worcestershire.

References
  1. "Toppin, Charles (TPN883C)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  2. "Cambridge University v CI Thornton's England XI in 1885". CricketArchive. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  3. "Oxford University v Cambridge University in 1885". CricketArchive. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  4. "Somerset v Marylebone Cricket Club in 1891". CricketArchive. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  5. "Miscellaneous matches played by Charles Toppin". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  6. Errol Holmes, Flannelled Foolishness, Hollis & Carter, London, 1957, pp. 17-18.
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