Percy Chapman

PERCY CHAPMAN d1961. English cricketer educated at Uppingham School who captained his country between 1926 and 1931. A left-handed batsman, he played 26 Test Matches for England (captaining the side in 17 of those games). He was appointed captain for the final decisive Test of the 1926 series against Australia and under his captaincy England defeated Australia to win the Ashes for the first time since 1912. Never a reliable batsman, he nevertheless had a respectable batting record. He could score runs very quickly and was popular with spectators. As a fielder contemporaries rated him extremely highly. Although opinions were divided on his tactical ability as a captain, most critics accepted he was an inspirational leader. He made his Test debut in 1924, although he had yet to play County Cricket. Having qualified for Kent, he was the surprise choice to take over from Arthur Carr as England captain in 1926. He achieved victory in his first nine matches in charge, but lost two and drew six of his remaining games. Perceived tactical deficiencies and possibly growing concerns over his heavy drinking meant that he was dropped from the team for the fifth Test against Australia in 1930. He captained England on one final tour in 1930–31, after which he never played another Test. After he assumed the Kent captaincy in 1931, his career and physique declined until he resigned the position in 1936. He retired altogether in 1939, by which time he was drinking heavily. His fame as a cricketer made him a popular public figure. He and his wife (whom he married in 1925) were well known figures in fashionable society and their appearances were followed closely in the press. Outside of cricket, he worked for a brewery. In his later years, he increasingly suffered from the effects of alcoholism and was often seen drunk in public. He and his wife divorced in 1942. He spent his final years, mainly alone, suffering from depression, arthritis and a continued dependence on alcohol. Following a fall at his home and a subsequent operation, he died on September 16th 1961 at the age of 61