Biddy Anderson

{{short description|South African rugby union footballer and cricketer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Biddy Anderson

| image = BiddyAnderson.jpg

| caption =

| fullname = James Henry Anderson

| nickname = Biddy

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1874|4|26|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Kimberley, Cape Colony

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1926|3|11|1874|4|26|df=yes}}

| death_place = Bredasdorp, Cape Province, South Africa

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling =

| columns = 2

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 1

| runs1 = 43

| bat avg1 = 21.50

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 32

| deliveries1 = –

| wickets1 = –

| bowl avg1 = –

| fivefor1 = –

| tenfor1 = –

| best bowling1 = –

| catches/stumpings1= 1/–

| column2 = First-class

| matches2 = 14

| runs2 = 511

| bat avg2 = 23.22

| 100s/50s2 = 1/1

| top score2 = 109

| deliveries2 = 24

| wickets2 = 1

| bowl avg2 = 26.00

| fivefor2 = 0

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 1/10

| catches/stumpings2= 14/–

| international = true

| country = South Africa

| testdebutagainst = Australia

| testdebutdate = 18 October

| testdebutyear = 1902

| onetest = true

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/player/43933.html Cricinfo

| date = 14 June

| year = 2016

}}

James Henry "Biddy" Anderson (26 April 1874 – 11 March 1926) was a South African cricketer and rugby union player who represented South Africa at each sport.

Born in Kimberley, Anderson attended Diocesan College in Rondebosch before going to Oxford University, where he was awarded a rugby Blue.

A right-handed batsman, Anderson played in one Test match in 1902, when he captained South Africa against Australia in Johannesburg.{{cite web|title=South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg 1902–03 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-south-africa-1902-03-61370/south-africa-vs-australia-2nd-test-62471/full-scorecard|website=Cricinfo|accessdate=24 July 2023}} He captained Western Province in the Currie Cup in 1903–04, scoring 109 in the semi-final win over Border, who totalled only 107 in their two innings.{{cite web |title=Western Province v Border 1903-04 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/6/6390.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=20 November 2021}}

Anderson also played three rugby union Tests for South Africa in 1896.{{cite web |title=Biddy Anderson |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/1199.html |website=EPSN Scrum |access-date=20 November 2021}} He was a member of the team that beat Great Britain at Newlands in Cape Town in 1896 to record South Africa's first international victory.Chris Schoeman, The Number 10s: South Africa's Finest Flyhalves 1891–2010, Zebra Press, Cape Town, 2020, chapter 1. He also played for clubs in Italy and France. He is one of six men to have played both cricket and rugby Tests for South Africa.{{cite web |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Abhishek |title=James 'Biddy' Anderson: Rugby champion, cricket captain |url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/james-biddy-anderson-rugby-champion-cricket-captain-438387 |website=Cricket Country |date=26 April 2016 |access-date=20 November 2021}}

Anderson was a farmer and racehorse breeder near Bredasdorp in Cape Province.