James Valiant (17 July 1884 – 28 October 1917) was an English cricketer. Valiant's batting and bowling styles are unknown. He was born in Wavertree, Liverpool, Lancashire.

James Valiant
Personal information
Full name
James Valiant
Born(1884-07-17)17 July 1884
Wavertree, Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Died28 October 1917(1917-10-28) (aged 33)
Gaza, Ottoman Syria
BattingUnknown
BowlingUnknown
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1912Essex
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 1
Runs scored 3
Batting average 3.00
100s/50s –/–
Top score 3
Balls bowled 24
Wickets
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings –/–
Source: Cricinfo, 21 April 2012

The son of a Liverpool butcher,[1] Valiant played Second XI cricket for his native Lancashire in 1908,[2] before moving south to Essex. Valiant later made his first-class debut for Essex against Northamptonshire at the County Ground, Northampton, in the 1912 County Championship.[3] Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bat, making 278 in their first-innings, during which Valiant bowled four wicketless overs. In response, Essex made just 60 all out, with Valiant ending the innings not out on 0. Forced to follow-on, Essex fared little better in their second-innings, being dismissed for just 80, with Valiant the last man out when he was caught and bowled by Sydney Smith for 3. Essex lost the match by an innings and 137 runs.[4] This was his only major appearance for Essex.

Valiant served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during World War I. In July 1917, he was promoted from the rank of 2nd lieutenant to lieutenant.[5] He died at Gaza on 28 October 1917, from wounds sustained the previous day during the Battle of El Buggar Ridge. He is buried in the Beersheba War Cemetery in modern-day Israel.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Player profile: James Valiant". CricketArchive. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by James Valiant". CricketArchive. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  3. ^ "First-Class Matches played by James Valiant". CricketArchive. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  4. ^ "Northamptonshire v Essex, 1912 County Championship". CricketArchive. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  5. ^ "No. 30383". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 November 1917. p. 11833.
  6. ^ "Casualty Details: Valiant, J". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
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