James Lindley was one of the professionals hired by Glmaorgan for their inaugural match in 1889 against Warwickshire at Cardiff Arms Park. In all, he played in five games for the Welsh county.
He had been on the Nottinghamshire staff in 1874 but the right-arm seam bowler never made an appearance for his native county and instead featured as a professional in club cricket for Sutton-in-Ashfield, Mansfield, Worksop and Accrington for whom he played in the Lancashire League between 1872 and 1879. In 1884 he moved to South Wales to join Swansea CC and subsequently played as the professional for the South Wales CC.
He also appeared for the Welsh county in 1888 in their warm-up game against Llywynypia CC before featuring in their inaugural match against Warwickshire in 1889. He appeared in other games during 1889, taking 7/45 against the MCC at the Arms Park with the Western Mail’s correspondent noting how “Lindley, right from the beginning, had bowled excellently in the damp conditions, with one delivery splintering the stump of the batsman”.
After retiring from playing, James became the groundsman at Sutton Town CC.
LINDLEY, James.
Born – Sutton-in-Ashfield, 18 July 1844.
Died – Mansfield, 15 October 1911.
Batting and Fielding Record
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| MC Friendlies | 5 | 8 | 1 | 59 | 8.43 | – | – | 2 | – |
Bowling Record
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| MC Friendlies | 714 | 51 | 301 | 27 | 11.20 | 3 | – |
Career-best performances
Minor County Friendlies – 31* v Surrey Club and Ground at The Oval, 1889 and 7/45 v MCC at Cardiff Arms Park, 1889.