Jem Broadbridge

James "Jem" Broadbridge (1795–1843) was an English professional cricketer who is widely recognised as the outstanding all-rounder in England during the 1820s. He played mainly for Sussex and made 102 known appearances in important matches from 1814 to 1840, being best remembered for his part in the introduction of roundarm bowling. He played for the Players in the Gentlemen v Players series and the South in the North v. South series.

Cricket career Born on 25 June 1795 in Duncton, Petworth, Sussex, Jem Broadbridge had a known career spanning the 1814 to 1840 English seasons. In 102 matches, he scored 2,671 runs at a batting average of 16.59 runs per innings with a highest score of 135. He took 51 catches and at least 324 wickets. He bowled right-arm fast-medium and batted right-handed. He was described by Haygarth as "an extremely hard hitter".

In the third of the roundarm trial matches in 1827, Broadbridge was out to one of the most unusual dismissals ever recorded. Despite his team having been told to bat steadily in their second innings when chasing 120 to win, Broadbridge at the start literally threw his bat out of his hands at a wide delivery. Bat and ball made contact and the ball flew off to point where it was caught by William Ward and Broadbridge was out. England then won by 25 runs. He was the son of William and Mary Broadbridge. His height was and he weighed about . He died at Duncton in 1843 having not married.

His elder brother William Broadbridge (1790–1860) was an occasional Sussex player in 25 matches between 1817 and 1830. His younger brother Robin (born 1797) played four matches between 1822 and 1824. The Broadbridge brothers were cousins of their Sussex colleague George Millyard.

Broadbridge's home village of Duncton has a pub named The Cricketers in honour of Broadbridge and his colleague Jemmy Dean, another lifelong resident.