Born in London in 1828, John Best was amongst the legion of professional cricketers who were based in Oxford and helped to coach the aspiring student cricketers. He also supplemented his income by making cricket balls from his workshop at his home on the Cowley Road.
It is likely that his professional appointments in South Wales came about through his contact with young Welsh gentlemen who were studying at Oxford, most notably JTD Llewelyn who was in residence at Christ Church College during the late 1850s and early 1860s.
Through JTD’s influence, John became the professional attached to the Cadoxton club when it was formed in 1863. John duly made his debut for the Glamorganshire side against Breconshire at Brecon on 24 and 25 June 1868. The previous year he had also toured with several of his colleagues from Cadoxton in the Welsh Wanderers, before guesting in 1868 for Swansea CC in their match against the Australian Aborigines at the Bryn-y-Mor Field.
John’s final appearance for Glamorganshire came on 15 and 16 June 1870 against Breconshire at Brecon and, as usual, he opened the batting. After retiring from playing, John returned to coach and mentor young cricketers at Oxford.
BEST, John
Born – Spa Fields, London 1828.
Died – Oxford, 1 November 1894.