Will Martingell

William Martingell (20 August 1818 – 29 September 1897), also known as Will Martingell, was an English professional cricketer who played between 1839 and 1860. He played primarily for Kent County Cricket Club and Surrey County Cricket Club, making over 180 appearances during his career.

Early life Martingell was born at Nutfield in Surrey in 1818, the eldest child of Russell Martingell and his wife Sarah. His father was a shoemaker who played one match for Surrey in 1828 and who had a reputation as a good fast underarm bowler. Martingell learned the trade of shoemaking from his father and also worked as a gamekeeper. He made his cricket debut later the same month playing for Surrey against MCC at Lord's, taking five wickets in the MCC second innings as they were dismissed for 15 runs.

After being unable to find sponsorship to play as a professional at MCC or in Surrey, Martingell moved to Kent in 1841 and was "engaged" working under Fuller Pilch at Canterbury. Pilch, who was one of the leading cricketers of the time, had managed the Old County Ground at Town Malling before moving to do the same at the Beverley Ground at Canterbury. Under Pilch's tuition Martingell quickly became established as one of the best professionals playing at the time and played for Kent, both before and after the formation of the first county club in 1842, and in matches at Lord's for several teams. In 1844 he was employed by the Earl of Ducie at Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire and played for West of England teams four times in two years. Dulcie having sold his property in Gloucestershire. He was a "fine judge of the game" and held many coaching appointments, including at Bradfield College, Rugby School and Eton College. A benefit match held for him at The Oval in 1860 raised over £260.

Personal life Martingell married Caroline Evans at Monks Kirby in Warwickshire in 1850. He was known by the nickname "Grannie" and died at Eton Wick in Buckinghamshire in September 1897 aged 79.