John William Sharpe, the old Surrey and Nottinghamshire fast-medium right-hand bowler, died on June 19 at Ruddington, aged 69. His father, Samuel Sharpe, played for Nottinghamshire and John Sharpe received trials for the Colts against the county at Trent Bridge. On one occasion, he took four wickets for five runs, but there was not room for him in the very powerful Nottinghamshire eleven of those days and so Sharpe qualified at Kennington Oval. Playing for Surrey from 1889 to 1893, he took 462 wickets at 13.81, runs each in all matches for the county. His best year was 1890, when altogether 179 wickets fell before him at just over 12 runs apiece. Next season in the match with Middlesex at the Oval, he dismissed 9 men for 47 in the first innings and five for 50 in the second. Against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1890 and next year against Somerset at the Oval, he and Lohmann bowled unchanged through both innings. In 1890 he played for England against Australia at the Oval, and in the autumn of 1891 he went to Australia with the team organised by Lord Sheffield. Sharpe bowled specially well on hard pitches and could make the ball break from the off to a remarkable degree for a man of such pace; his extra fast yorker was deadly. Although handicapped by the loss of his right eye, Sharpe was a smart field and often proved a useful batsman, notably on his first appearance for Surrey, when he helped George Lohmann put on 149 runs for the last wicket against Essex. Later in the season he and Beaumont, going in No. 11, made 118 together. After returning from Australia Sharpe lost his form and, though he appeared for Nottinghamshire in 1894, his first-class career practically ceased when he left Surrey. At that time, Surrey were exceptionally strong; from 1887 to 1895, they only once fell from first place in the County Championship.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1892

• John Sharpe

Mar 3, 1892 John Sharpe © Surrey County Cricket Club

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