R. T. Stanyforth

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Rony Stanyforth

CVO MC
Stanyforth in 1927
Personal information
Full name
Ronald Thomas Stanyforth
Born(1892-05-30)30 May 1892
Chelsea, London, England
Died20 February 1964(1964-02-20) (aged 71)
Kirk Hammerton, Yorkshire, England
BattingRight-handed
BowlingWicket-keeper
International information
National side
Test debut24 December 1927 v South Africa
Last Test1 February 1928 v South Africa
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class
Matches 4 61
Runs scored 13 1,092
Batting average 2.60 17.33
100s/50s 0/0 0/6
Top score 6* 91
Catches/stumpings 7/2 72/21
Source: Cricinfo, 15 August 2022

Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald Thomas "Rony" Stanyforth, CVO, MC (30 May 1892 – 20 February 1964)[1] was an Army officer and English amateur first-class cricketer, who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England, captaining England in the four Test matches he played in.[1]

Stanyforth was born at Chelsea, London, England, the son of Edwin Wilfrid Stanyforth (born Edwin Wilfrid Greenwood) of Kirk Hammerton Hall, Yorkshire. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford.[2] He played for Oxford University in 1914 and then served in World War I. He was awarded the MC and CVO.[3]

After the war Stanyforth played for Combined Services in 1922, Army from 1923 to 1929, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from 1923 to 1933 and H. D. G. Leveson Gower's XI in 1926. In 1926 he played one game for Langholm Cricket Club after being invited to by the Earl of Dalkeith.[4]

After Guy Jackson, the original choice as captain, fell ill just before the tour was to commence, Stanyforth, a wicket-keeper, captained England on the tour to South Africa in 1927–28.[5] Under his captaincy in the first four Test matches, England won two, lost one and drew once. However, the series was a draw as the fifth Test, when Greville Stevens stood in for the injured Stanyforth, was lost.[6]

Only three of Stanyforth's 61 first-class games were played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the County Championship. All three came in 1928 after he had captained England.[1][6] He also played for the Free Foresters from 1930 to 1933.[7]

Stanyforth retired from the Army in 1930 and became Comptroller of the Household to the Duke of Gloucester.[5] He rejoined the Army at the outbreak of the Second World War, serving in the 21st Lancers, as Aide-de-camp to General Alan Brooke from 1939 to 1940, and as GSO1 21st Army Group from 1941 to 1945. He returned to the Duke of Gloucester's service in 1947 as extra equerry.[5]

Stanyforth died at Kirk Hammerton, Yorkshire, in February 1964, aged 72. He was a trustee of the MCC at the time of his death,[6] and the author of Wicketkeeping, published in 1935.

Family

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Stanyforth was the great-great-grandson of Samuel Staniforth and the great-great-great-grandson of Thomas Staniforth, each of whom served as Lord Mayor of Liverpool. His father Edwin Stanyforth was born Edwin Greenwood, however he changed his name at the request of his great uncle Rev. Thomas Staniforth of Storrs Hall in his will. Edwin was the son of Ripon member of parliament and resident of Swarcliffe Hall, John Greenwood.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Warner, David (2011). The Yorkshire County Cricket Club: 2011 Yearbook (113th ed.). Ilkley, Yorkshire: Great Northern Books. p. 378. ISBN 978-1-905080-85-4.
  2. ^ STANYFORTH, Lieut-Col Ronald Thomas, Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2016 (online edition, Oxford University Press, 2014)
  3. ^ YOUNGE WILSON DEEDS. National Archives Sheffield Archives
  4. ^ [1]. British Newspaper Archive
  5. ^ a b c "Obituary", The Cricketer, April 1964, pp. 26–27.
  6. ^ a b c Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. "Rony Stanyforth". Espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  7. ^ Rony Stanyforth. Cricket Archive
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Sporting positions
Preceded by English national cricket captain
1927/8 		Succeeded by