Krom Hendricks

William Henry 'Krom' Hendricks was a South African cricketer. Hendricks was considered the fastest bowler in South Africa in the 1890s. He suffered from the racial segregation in South Africa throughout his career, particularly in a much publicised prevention of him touring England in 1894. He instead made gradually reduced appearances in South African domestic cricket.

Career Hendricks was born to a father with Dutch ancestry, and a mother who hailed from St Helena, and was classified as 'coloured' in South Africa. His 'Krom' nickname derived from Afrikaans for "bent or crooked." There is little information available on his early life. He was born 15 October 1857 in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town.

Hendricks played in a Combined Malay XI against Walter Read's touring England team on 2 March 1892, He was described by Test cricketers George Rowe and Bonnor Middleton as "one of the fastest bowlers they had witnessed". His wickets were not included in the tour averages, however he "earned the published respect of the visitors as the fastest, most challenging legitimate bowler in South Africa, one whom batsmen were keen to avoid."

Transvaal and Western Province both called for Hendricks' inclusion in the 1894 tour of England. Walter Read said that if they were to send one player on the tour, to send Hendricks.

Later in 1894, Hendricks performed strongly in a Cape Town cricket competition, prompting calls for him to represent the Colonial Born side against an invitation Mother Country team, however he was not allowed to join the team and Western Province omitted him from their squad. He was again prohibited from facing England in the winter of 1895–96, and from appearing in a league championship in 1897. Support from Western Province fell away, as their Cricket Board voted eleven to three to not include him in their team.