Frank Penn

Frank Penn Biography

In the very first Test played in England, the hosts defeated Australia by 5 wickets by chasing down 57 in the final innings. However, they did make heavy weather of the target, losing half the side for 31.

It was Kent’s Frank Penn, who had scored a gritty 23 in the first innings, who held his nerve. With WG Grace joining him at the other end, the two knocked off the final runs with calm reassurance. Penn remained unbeaten on 27, the only one to reach double-figures in the innings. It was Penn who hit the winning runs.

One of the mainstays of Kent and an accomplished batsman, Penn had toured Australia with Lord Harris’s team in 1878-79 but had not played a Test. However, he did play many a memorable hand for Kent. The 160 against Surrey at Maidstone was his highest and 148 against the same opponents at The Oval was another great innings. But perhaps the best was the 134 for MCC against Cambridge in 1879 at Lord’s when he hit AG Steel all around the wicket. He was especially adept at hitting to the leg-side.

Unfortunately, he had to give up cricket at the age of 30 because of a heart condition. He later became President of Kent County Cricket Club, and played a key role in development of the club along with Lord Harris.

His brothers Dick and William played for Kent as well, as did his son Frank Jr.

Arunabha Sengupta