John Frame (cricketer)
John Frame (1733–11 October 1796) was an English cricketer who played in the mid-Georgian era. He was a fast bowler who used an underarm action and played for Surrey, Kent, and the Dartford Cricket Club, as well as England teams. Born in Warlingham, Surrey, Frame’s known career ran from 1749 to 1774, from age 16 to 41.
Frame was one of the era’s outstanding fast bowlers and was often compared with Lumpy Stevens. Like other bowlers of his time, he bowled underarm. Early bowling usually kept the ball on the ground, and pitching was introduced later, while the underarm style remained; the modern straight bat appeared after.
At 16, he played for Surrey against England at Dartford Brent on 2–3 June 1749, with Surrey winning by 2 wickets. In 1750 he played for Surrey in three matches against Kent, with his brother in the same team in each game. He later moved to Kent and became closely associated with Dartford Cricket Club.
His first England appearance was in May 1751 against Kent. His last known match was for England against Hampshire at Sevenoaks Vine on 8–9 July 1774, which Hampshire won by 169 runs.
John Nyren called Frame one of Hambledon Club’s greatest opponents and described him as “the other principal (bowler) with Lumpy” Stevens. In 1900, F. S. Ashley-Cooper named Frame among the best 18th-century players.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 22:27 (CET).