Abraham Bass (23 February 1804 – 15 August 1882) was an English cricketer known as 'the father of Midland cricket'.[1] He played first-class cricket for the North in 1840 and 1841 and for Nottinghamshire in 1843.
Bass was born in Burton-upon-Trent, the third son of brewer Michael Bass and his wife Sarah Hoskins. He was the main influence behind the founding of Burton Cricket Club in 1827.[1] In 1840 he played two matches for the North against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lords and at Burton and one match in 1841 at Burton. In 1843 he played a match for Nottinghamshire against Hampshire. He played eight innings in four first-class matches with an average of 4.50 and a top score of 10.[2]
Bass is subsequently recorded as playing for various teams against an All England XI in 1847, for Burton in 1848 and for Gentlemen of Staffordshire in 1852. He was a noted authority on batting technique, referred to as "our good friend Mr Abraham Bass – and what cricketer in the Midland Counties defers not to his judgement".[3]
Bass married Margaret Jane Lloyd, daughter of Rev George Lloyd vicar of Gresley, Derbyshire on 10 May 1852. They had a son, Roger. They lived at Moat Bank, Ashby Road, Winshill[4] where he died on 15 August 1882 at the age of 78.
