Joseph Miller

Joseph Miller (died October 1784) was a noted English cricketer who is generally considered to have been one of the greatest batsmen of the 18th century. He is mostly associated with Kent but also made appearances for All-England and Surrey. First recorded in the 1769 season, Miller made 65 known appearances (including single wicket) from then to 1783. He was unquestionably an outstanding batsman and perhaps second only to John Small in the 18th century. Cricket career Miller may have played before 1772, but more is known about his career from 1772 when scorecards began to be kept on a habitual basis. The first definite mention of him is in a "fives" single wicket match between Kent and Hampshire at the Artillery Ground in June 1772. He took part in all three important matches recorded in the 1772 season. In the second, playing for All-England against Hampshire at Guildford Bason, he was top scorer for his team in both innings with 30 out of 126 and then 26 out of only 86. In 1773, he scored a total of 316 runs in his seven known important match appearances with a best score of 73 (out of 177) for All-England against Hampshire at Sevenoaks Vine. When Kent played Surrey at Sevenoaks Vine in August 1773, Miller scored 42 out of 141 in the first innings and then an unbeaten 32 out of 100/4 in the second innings. In September 1773, Miller played as a given man for Surrey v Hampshire at Laleham Burway. Miller's best known performance was for Kent v Hampshire at Sevenoaks Vine in August 1774 when he made 95 out of 240 and enabled Kent to win by an innings and 35 runs. A week later, in the return match at Broadhalfpenny Down, Miller scored 40 and 45 out of 168 and 136/6 as Kent won by 4 wickets.