James Hildreth

Born in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Hildreth attended Millfield, a private school in Street, Somerset described as a "great nursery of the game [of cricket]".{{cite journal |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |editor1-first=John |editor1-last=Stern |date=June 2010 |title=Why Kieswetter is the tipping point |journal=The Wisden Cricketer |volume=7 |issue=7 |page=18 |publisher=Wisden Cricketer Publishing Ltd |location=London |issn=1740-9519}} He finished third in the school's batting averages in 2000, with 30.38 and a top-score of 75 not out.{{cite book |editor1-first=Graeme |editor1-last=Wright |title=Wisden Cricketer's Almanack 2001 |edition=138 |year=2001 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd. |location=Alton, Hampshire |isbn=0-947766-63-4 |page=1019 |chapter=Schools Cricket, 2000}} The following season his batting figures were significantly worse—he averaged just 14.30—but he topped the school's bowling averages with 11.41, his best figures being 4/2.4/2: Signifies the bowler claimed four wickets and two runs were scored while he was bowling.{{cite book |editor1-first=Graeme |editor1-last=Wright |title=Wisden Cricketer's Almanack 2002 |edition=139 |year=2002 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd. |location=Alton, Hampshire |isbn=0-947766-70-7 |page=1004 |chapter=Schools Cricket, 2001}} In 2002, Hildreth was one of three Millfield pupils chosen to play in the annual ECB try-out match.{{cite book |editor1-first=Tim |editor1-last=de Lisle | editor1-link =Tim de Lisle|title=Wisden Cricketer's Almanack 2003 |edition=140 |year=2003 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd. |location=Alton, Hampshire |isbn=978-0947766771 |page=1091 |chapter=Schools Cricket, 2002}} He didn't score enough runs to be included in Wisden's school batting averages in 2002,Wisden's criteria for printing school cricketer's averages are 150 runs or 10 wickets. but his 17 wickets taken at an average of 13.05 rated him as the school's joint highest wicket-taker, and third in the averages.{{cite book |editor1-first=Tim |editor1-last=de Lisle |title=Wisden Cricketer's Almanack 2003 |edition=140 |year=2003 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd. |location=Alton, Hampshire |isbn=978-0947766771 |page=1109 |chapter=Schools Cricket, 2002}} In July 2002, Hildreth made his first appearance for the Somerset Second XI, replacing Peter Trego who, after scoring 188 runs in the first-innings, left the match due to being called up to the first-team. Hildreth bowled 13.1 wicket-less overs during Warwickshire Second XI's first-innings, and scored 32 in Somerset's second-innings, as they lost by an innings.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/75/75036.html |title=Warwickshire Second XI v Somerset Second XI |publisher=CricketArchive|date=17 July 2002 |access-date=2010-05-29}} The following month, he made his List A debut, representing Somerset Cricket Board against Cornwall in the first round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy. Hildreth claimed one wicket during his six overs, and added four runs from number seven.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/75/75285.html |title=Cornwall v Somerset Cricket Board |publisher=CricketArchive|date=29 August 2002 |access-date=2010-05-29}}

Hildreth captained Millfield in 2003, and performed well given the extra responsibility: he finished top of the school's batting averages, his 563 runs coming at 62.55, and trailed only one team-mate in the bowling averages.{{cite book |editor1-first=Matthew |editor1-last=Engel |editor1-link=Matthew Engel|title=Wisden Cricketer's Almanack 2004 |edition=141 |year=2004 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd. |location=Alton, Hampshire |isbn=0-947766-83-9 |page=924 |chapter=Schools Cricket, 2003}} After a number of games for the Second XI, Hildreth made his debut for Somerset in a National League match against Lancashire, but didn't bat as the match was abandoned due to rain.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/77/77602.html |title=Lancashire v Somerset |publisher=CricketArchive|date=28 July 2003 |access-date=2010-05-31}} A few days later, he scored a century for the Second XI in a three-day match, opening Somerset's second-innings against Sussex Second XI.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/77/77622.html |title=Somerset Second XI v Sussex Second XI |publisher=CricketArchive|date=30 July 2003 |access-date=2010-05-31}} In mid-September, he made his first-class debut during a County Championship match against Derbyshire, scoring nine in the first-innings, followed by a duck in the second.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/77/77838.html |title=Somerset v Derbyshire |publisher=CricketArchive|date=10 September 2003 |access-date=2010-05-31}} In the nine National League matches Hildreth played in 2003, he scored 120 runs at an average of 15.00, with a high-score of 30 against Lancashire at the County Ground, Taunton.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/45/45433/a_Batting_by_Season.html |title=ListA Batting and Fielding in Each Season by James Hildreth |publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=2010-05-31}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/77/77796.html |title=Somerset v Lancashire |publisher=CricketArchive|date=1 September 2003 |access-date=2010-05-31}}

Playing in his (and Somerset's) first County Championship match of the 2004 season, Hildreth made his debut first-class century in the first-innings against Durham, scoring 101 in an innings described by team-mate Peter Bowler as "attractive but very orthodox".{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/wcm/content/story/139009.html |title=Hildreth a big hit |work=The Wisden Cricketer |publisher=Wisden |date=23 June 2004 |last=Steen |first=Rob |access-date=2010-06-02}} He added 72 more runs in the second-innings.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/79/79537.html |title=Somerset v Durham |publisher=CricketArchive|date=12 May 2004 |access-date=2010-06-02}} He passed 50 in three of the four matches he played in June, but didn't score another century in the Championship until September, when he scored 108 while sharing a third-wicket partnership of 207 with Jamie Cox against Nottinghamshire.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/80/80480.html |title=Nottinghamshire v Somerset |publisher=CricketArchive|date=3 September 2004 |access-date=2010-06-02}} He finished the season with 760 first-class runs scored at an average of just over 40.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/45/45433/f_Batting_by_Season.html |title=First-class Batting and Fielding in Each Season by James Hildreth |publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=2010-06-02}} He fared slightly less successfully in the one-day competitions – he averaged around 30 in both List A and Twenty20 formats.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/45/45433/a_Batting_by_Season.html |title=ListA Batting and Fielding in Each Season by James Hildreth |publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=2010-06-02}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/45/45433/tt_Batting_by_Season.html |title=Twenty20 Batting and Fielding in Each Season by James Hildreth |publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=2010-06-02}} His highest score in the Twenty20 Cup was the 66 he made against Glamorgan off 33 balls.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/79/79810.html |title=Somerset v Glamorgan |publisher=CricketArchive|date=5 July 2004 |access-date=2010-06-02}}

In April 2008, Hildreth's contract was renewed to 2011, following his most successful season for Somerset, scoring 1147 at 52.14.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/somerset/7361026.stm Hildreth signs new Somerset deal] BBC News. Retrieved 22 April 2008 On 18 April 2009, Hildreth hit his highest ever first-class score with 303 not out at Taunton, becoming the second Englishman (after Harold Gimblett) to score over 300 runs in an innings for Somerset and scoring the earliest triple century in an English season.{{Cite web |url=http://content.cricinfo.com/countycricket2009/content/current/story/400359.html |title=Hildreth re-writes the record books |author=John Ward |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=18 April 2009 |access-date=18 April 2009 }}

He announced that he would retire at the end of the 2022 season,{{cite web | url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/james-hildreth-to-retire-after-20-year-somerset-career-1328778 | title=James Hildreth to retire after 20-year Somerset career |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=11 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 }} but after suffering a hamstring injury retired with immediate effect on 16 August 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/club-news/hildy-to-retire-with-immediate-effect/ |title=Hildy to retire with immediate effect |publisher=Somerset County Cricket Club |date=16 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 }}

Hildreth's first taste of international cricket came during the 2000 Under-15 World Challenge. He played in all four of England's matches in the competition, opening the batting on each occasion. He finished the tournament trailing only Samit Patel among England run-scorers, making 105 runs.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/ENG/Costcutter_Under-15s_World_Challenge_2000/England_Under-15s_Batting.html |title= Batting and Fielding for England Under-15s: Costcutter Under-15s Worlrd Challenge 2000 |publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=2010-05-20}} However, after scoring his highest score of the tournament in the first game, 57 against India,{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70316.html |title=England Under-15s v India Under-15s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=30 July 2000 |access-date=2010-05-20}} his scores got progressively lower, 42 against the West Indies,{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70321.html |title=England Under-15s v West Indies Under-15s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=31 July 2000 |access-date=2010-05-20}} and he failed to reach double figures against Netherlands or in the semi-final against Pakistan.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70341.html |title=England Under-15s v Netherlands Under-15s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=2 August 2000 |access-date=2010-05-20}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70350.html |title=England Under-15s v Pakistan Under-15s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=5 August 2000 |access-date=2010-05-20}}

In 2003, Hildreth made his debut for England Under-19s during the third youth Test against South Africa Under-19s. After scoring 14 in the first-innings, Hildreth top-scored for England in the second, hitting 116 runs off 189 balls. Despite his efforts—he was the only England batsman to pass 50 in either innings—England lost by an innings and 163 runs.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/77/77692.html |title=England Under-19s v South Africa Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=16 August 2003 |access-date=2010-05-20}} He remained with the squad for the one-day series, but only managed to score four in his only batting appearance, as both the second and third ODIs were washed-out.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/77/77753.html |title=England Under-19s v South Africa Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=26 August 2003 |access-date=2010-05-20}} Hildreth was part of the England squad to compete in the 2004 U-19 Cricket World Cup. He made his first appearance in the competition in England's second group-stage match, scoring 38 off 30 with 2 fours and 2 sixes against Uganda.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/79/79102.html |title=England Under-19s v Uganda Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=17 February 2004 |access-date=2010-05-20}} He remained not out in his next two innings, on 30 against South Africa and 1 Zimbabwe.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/79/79126.html |title=England Under-19s v South Africa Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=20 February 2004 |access-date=2010-05-20}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/79/79170.html |title=England Under-19s v Zimbabwe Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=25 February 2004 |access-date=2010-05-20}} In the final league-stage match, he was dismissed for 7 against Pakistan in a low-scoring match that saw England qualify for the semi-finals.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/79/79190.html |title=England Under-19s v Pakistan Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=27 February 2004 |access-date=2010-05-20}} Playing against West Indies in the semi-final, Hildreth scored 27 off 29 balls—one of only four England players to reach double-figures—as England failed to reach their target of 250.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/79/79213.html |title=England Under-19s v West Indies Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=2 March 2004 |access-date=2010-05-20}}

Hildreth's final matches for England Under-19s were playing later in 2004, as they hosted Bangladesh for three Tests and three scheduled ODIs. He scored 27 and 14 in the first Test, which England won by five wickets.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/80/80008.html |title=England Under-19s v Bangladesh Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=28 July 2004 |access-date=2010-05-24}} In the second Test, played at Hildreth's home ground in Taunton, he scored 210 in "a near flawless innings with an explosive conclusion"{{cite book |last=Davies |first=Gareth |editor1-first=Matthew |editor1-last=Engel |title=Wisden Cricketer's Almanack 2005 |edition=142 |year=2005 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. Ltd. |location=Alton, Hampshire |isbn=0-947766-89-8 |page=952 |chapter=Bangladesh Under-19 in England, 2004}} to help England to an eight wicket victory.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/80/80184.html |title=England Under-19s v Bangladesh Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=10 August 2004 |access-date=2010-05-24}} The score, at the time the sixth highest in youth Tests,{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/UTests/Overall/Highest_Player_Scores.html |title=Individual Scores of 150 and More in an Innings in Youth Test Cricket |publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=2010-05-24 |archive-date=29 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329000316/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/UTests/Overall/Highest_Player_Scores.html |url-status=dead }} was described by Bangladesh's coach Richard McInnes as "one of the best innings I have ever had the pleasure of seeing." Hildreth didn't play in the third Test match, but in his last match for the team he recorded a man of the match performance to defeat the Bangladeshis in the only completed ODI. Batting at number four as England chased 190 to win, Hildreth scored 53 runs off 42 balls, with 9 fours and 1 six.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/80/80391.html |title=England Under-19s v Bangladesh Under-19s |publisher=CricketArchive|date=26 August 2004 |access-date=2010-05-24}}

In the English winter of 2007–08, Hildreth was included in the England Performance Programme XI to train in India, playing two matches against 'Madras Rubber Factory'. In the first match, he scored 136 runs at quicker than a run-a-ball, and put on partnership of 209 with Jonathan Trott.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/148/148527.html |title=Madras Rubber Factory v England Performance Programme XI |publisher=CricketArchive|date=2 December 2007 |access-date=2010-05-29}} In the second, he made 63 runs, and shared another large partnership with Trott, the pair this time putting on a 155 runs together.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/148/148570.html |title=Madras Rubber Factory v England Performance Programme XI |publisher=CricketArchive|date=11 December 2007 |access-date=2010-05-29}} Returning to India in January with the England Lions, Hildreth played in four matches, although he wasn't included in the starting eleven for the two Duleep Trophy matches. He failed to reach double figures in either innings of the three-day match against Mumbai Cricket Association XI,{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/158/158686.html |title=Mumbai Cricket Association XI v England Lions |publisher=CricketArchive|date=29 January 2008 |access-date=2010-05-29}} He performed slightly better in the one-day matches, with a score of 7 against Maharashtra Cricket Association XI being preceded by 38 against Mumbai Cricket Association XI and followed by 43 against Saurashtra Cricket Association XI.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/159/159795.html |title=Mumbai Cricket Association XI v England Lions |publisher=CricketArchive|date=19 February 2008 |access-date=2010-05-29}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/161/161383.html |title=Maharashtra Cricket Association XI v England Lions |publisher=CricketArchive|date=21 February 2008 |access-date=2010-05-29}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/161/161384.html |title=Saurashtra Cricket Association XI v England Lions |publisher=CricketArchive|date=23 February 2008 |access-date=2010-05-29}}

Hildreth was used as a substitute fielder throughout the 2005 Ashes series and took a catch to dismiss Ricky Ponting in the first Test at Lord's off the bowling of Matthew Hoggard.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4706335.stm|title=Late wickets stem Aussie charge |publisher=BBC |date=22 July 2005 |access-date=2 July 2015}}

Updated 1 June 2018

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Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:English cricketers

Category:Somerset cricketers

Category:People educated at Millfield

Category:Sportspeople from Milton Keynes

Category:Somerset Cricket Board cricketers

Category:People educated at Millfield Preparatory School

Category:NBC Denis Compton Award recipients

Category:Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers

Category:Cricketers from Buckinghamshire