Henry Holden

Henry Holden, DL, JP (26 August 1823 – 1 February 1900) was an English soldier and Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire. He was also an amateur cricketer and controversial cricket administrator who played a part in one of the first strikes by professional cricketers in 1881. As a player, Holden's batting style is unknown.

Early life The son of Robert Holden and Mary Anne Drury Lowe, he was born at Locko Park, Derbyshire.

Professional career Holden served in the British Army where he reached the rank of captain in the 38th Regiment. He was also the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire from 1856 to 1892 and a Justice of the Peace. In 1892 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.

Cricket career He made a single first-class appearance for Sussex against Nottinghamshire in 1853 at Trent Bridge. Nottinghamshire batted first, making 100 all out. In response, Sussex made 98 all out in their first-innings, with Holden, who captained the county in what was his only game for them, being dismissed for a duck by John Bickley. Nottinghamshire were then dismissed for just 69 in their second-innings to set Sussex 72 for victory. Sussex succeeded in their chase to win by three wickets, with Holden not required to bat.

Nottinghamshire secretary He became the secretary of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in 1874, in what was to be a somewhat controversial tenure in that role. In 1880, the Australians toured England, making considerable money from gate receipts, something English cricketers, regarded as "gentlemen" did not do. Nottinghamshire's Alfred Shaw, however, saw this as an opportunity. He arranged a first-class match between the Players of the North and the Australians at Park Avenue, Bradford toward the end of the tour, which made Shrewsbury a healthy profit. During lunch of one of the days the match was played over, the Australians discovered that no lunch had been provided for them. It was, in those days, custom for hosts to looks after amateur "gentlemen". Professionals were deemed to be those making money from playing, which the Australians were, and were therefore expected to provide their own lunch. Despite this, the Australians were enraged and confronted Holden, who had been in charge of lunch arrangements. In a heated exchange with the Australians manager Charles Beal and batsman George Bonnor, he told them he had "forgot" to provide lunch, then reminded them as paid professionals they were expected to find their own. Aggravated by the argument with Beal and Bonnor, Holden was reported to have then turned on Australian captain Billy Murdoch to remind him it was him, in his capacity of secretary, and not the umpires or team captains who had the right to demand when the pitch be rolled. Bonnor by this point was being restrained to avoid a physical altercation with Holden. During the night, a member of the Australian touring party chalked some derogatory remarks about Holden in the hotel in which the team was staying. When discovered, Holden openly accused Beal of writing the remarks. However, it was discovered that Holden himself had made the remarks in an attempt to get one over on Beal.

He also had a dispute with Lancashire captain A. N. Hornby during his tenure. He was invited to resign from his position by the Nottinghamshire committee in 1883.

Personal life In 1850, he married Isabella Cunard, daughter of Sir Samuel Cunard, 1st Baronet and Susan Duffus, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The couple had seven children. Holden died at Bramcote Hills, Nottinghamshire, on 1 February 1900. His brother, Robert, and nephew, Thomas Pearson, both played first-class cricket.