James Cobbett

James Cobbett was an English professional cricketer who played from 1826 to 1841 for Middlesex [county cricket team (pre-1864)|Middlesex], Surrey [county cricket team (pre-1846)|Surrey], and Sheffield [Cricket Club]. According to The Cricketer and Wisden, he was said to be "the finest all-rounder of his day", Cobbett was a right-handed batsman, occasional wicket-keeper and right arm slow roundarm bowler.
Cobbett began as an MCC ground staff bowler who occasionally stood as umpire. He started a playing career with Middlesex in 1826, as Surrey - the county of his birth - featured little in cricket at the time. He played only once for them in 1839, as well as matches for Yorkshire in 1835. He represented the Players in the Gentlemen v Players series and the South of [England cricket team|South] in the North v. South series. But it was for the MCC between 1830 and 1841, that he made most of his appearances: 47 in all, scoring 78 runs and taking 311 wickets.