Claude Keith Bancroft (30 October 1885 in Fontabelle, St Michael, Barbados – 12 January 1919 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) was a West Indian cricketer who toured with the second West Indian touring side to England in 1906 as their wicket-keeper.

Keith Bancroft
Keith Bancroft in 1906
Personal information
Full name
Claude Keith Bancroft
Born(1885-10-30)30 October 1885
Fontabelle, Saint Michael, Barbados
Died12 January 1919(1919-01-12) (aged 33)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicket-keeper
RelationsKenneth Bancroft (brother)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1904/05Barbados
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 13
Runs scored 283
Batting average 14.15
100s/50s –/1
Top score 53
Balls bowled
Wickets
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings 12/7
Source: Cricinfo, 25 September 2011

In 1904–05 he played for Barbados against Lord Brackley's team and then for the combined West Indies team in Barbados.

He was chosen as the wicket-keeper for the 1906 tour to England. Before the tour he was described as "the wicket-leeper of the team, and will be of immense value to his side. Is at present studying at Cambridge, having won the last Barbados Scholarship"[1] and "he is in residence at Cambridge as the team arrives in England. A wicketkeeper who is said to be very alert with the gloves. He kept well against Lord Brackley's XI and is also a steady bat".[2] He played in 11 of the 13 first class matches during the tour, scoring 53 against Kent in 90 minutes. He had dislocated a finger in the match against Surrey.

In 1907 and 1908 he played in trial matches at Cambridge but never played in a first class match for the University, indeed he didn't play any first class cricket after the 1906 tour.

After his first-class career was over, he did play two matches for the Federated Malay States against the Straits Settlements in 1911.

His brother Kenneth also played for Barbados in 1904–05.

References

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  1. ^ Cricket – A Weekly Record of the Game, 1906 page 178
  2. ^ The West Indian Tour of England 1906 by Gerry Wolstenholme, page 7
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