On 1 and 2 September 1880 a player listed as “E Haddington” made his sole appearance for the South Wales Cricket Club against Clifton CC at Durdham Down. Batting at number seven, he made 1 and 3* as Clifton won by 81 runs.
Whilst this could have been a journeyman professional with that surname, it seems more likely that this was William Alexander Baillie-Hamilton, the son of the Earl of Haddington. He had been educated at Harrow and was a member of the MCC, appearing in matches for the club between 1877 and 1888, including their encounters with Essex in 1877 and 1881, as well as their contest against Northamptonshire in 1888.
William was also a talented footballer and played for Scotland against England in March 1870. He subsequently became Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Ireland from 1886 until 1892. He also served in the East London and Berwickshire Imperial Yeomanry.
Baillie-Hamilton, William Alexander
Born – Brighton, 6 September 1844.
Died – London, 6 July 1920.