John Bryant

John Bryant (c.1720 – 1772) was an English cricketer of the mid-Georgian period who played for Bromley and Kent. He also represented various England teams. A top-class player, he made numerous appearances in historically important matches, both eleven-a-side and single wicket. He was the brother of James Bryant, also of Bromley, where they were team-mates of Robert Colchin. In 1744, John Bryant and Colchin were named as two of the best players in England.

Bryant has never been recognised as a bowler, so it must be assumed he was a specialist batsman. It is not known if he was right- or left-handed. If he did bowl, he used an underarm action. The actual length of Bryant's career is uncertain, but there were 36 important matches between 1743 and 1756 in which he definitely appeared: 17 eleven-a-side, and 19 under single wicket rules.

Career 1743—earliest reference Three of Kent v Three of England was a three-a-side single wicket game, played 11 July 1743 on the Artillery Ground. The six players involved, including Bryant, were publicised as "the best in England". There is no record of Bryant before 1743, but it is extremely unlikely that a new and inexperienced player would be rated as one of "the best". The teams were William Hodsoll (Dartford), John Cutbush (Maidstone), and Val Romney (Sevenoaks) playing as Three of Kent; and Richard Newland (Slindon), William Sawyer (Richmond), and Bryant (Bromley) playing as Three of England. Hodsoll and Newland were the captains. Two weeks later, 'J. Bryant' scored 12 and 7 for England against Kent, also at the Artillery Ground; Kent won by one wicket.

On Monday, 17 September 1744, a three-a-side single wicket match was billed as "Long Robin's Side v Richard Newland's Side". The participants were described as "the six best players in England".

In early August 1747, there were two single wicket matches at the Artillery Ground which were organised by the 2nd Duke of Richmond. In the first, three of his employees Stephen Dingate, Joseph Rudd, and Pye defeated Little and Tall Bennett, and William Anderson. In the second, the same threes were to play again but in a "fives" match with the two—James and John—Bryant brothers added to the Duke's team, and with Tom Faulkner and one—either Joe or John—of the Harris brothers to their opponents. The result of the second game is unknown.

Later seasons Bryant is recorded from 1748 to 1752. The final references to him are in September 1756 when he played, as a given man, in two matches for London against Dartford.