Percy Chapman

Arthur Percy Frank Chapman (was born at Reading, Berkshire on 3 September 1900 and died at Alton, Hampshire on 16 September 1961) was an outstanding English cricketer who captained England to a then English-record-equalling seven consecutive Test match wins, a record that was not surpassed until Michael Vaughan's team (with one game captained by Marcus Trescothick) won eight in a row in 2004. Chapman won his first nine Tests as captain, but this sequence was interrupted by Tests in which others captained England.

According to SJ Southerton in "Bat and Ball" (1935), he is the only batsman to have scored centuries at Lord's in the University Match (1922), the Gentlemen vs Players match (1922 and 1926) and a Test match (1930).

Percy Chapman was educated at Uppingham and represented Cambridge University, Kent and England. He is notable for having played six Tests, including four on an Ashes tour, before playing in the County Championship for Kent.

Captaining England in the Second Ashes Test at Lord's (28 June to 1 July 1930), he swallowed a bluebottle not long after completing his only Test century. Play was held up for several minutes and Chapman was dismissed for 121 soon afterwards.

Chapman was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1919.

Note: ¹ In 1929/30 England played two Test series simultaneously, one against New Zealand, the other against the West Indies.

External reference

• Cricinfo page on Percy Chapman

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