William Bedster (1734–1805) was an English cricketer who is known to have been active between 1777 and 1794.
Bedster was born in 1734 at Walberton near Chichester in Sussex.William Bedster, ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 June 2022.William Bedster, CricketArchive. Retrieved 23 June 2022. He made his first known appearance in 1777, playing for England (i.e., the "rest" of England) against Hampshire. He played for numerous teams, most frequently for England, Surrey, and Middlesex in matches.
Bedster was employed as a butler for five years by Charles Bennet, 4th Earl of Tankerville at his Mount Felix estate in Walton-on-Thames.Hutton, John (2012). Sport on the Hurst – Cricket, Molesey Local History Society. Retrieved 23 June 2022.Portrait of Emma, Countess of Tankerville (1752–1836), Philip Mould Fine Paintings. Retrieved 23 June 2022. During this time he played for Chertsey Cricket Club.The History of Chertsey Cricket Club, Chertsey Cricket Club. Retrieved 23 June 2022. He was frequently used as a given man by other teams. After his playing career was over, Bedster moved to Chelsea where he was an innkeeper. He died in 1805. A road in Molesey in Surrey is named after him.
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