title: John Bennett (cricketer, born 1777)
text: # John Bennett (cricketer, born 1777)
  
  John Bennett (1777 – July 1857) was an English professional cricketer who made 61 known appearances in first-class cricket matches between 1797 and 1818. His cousin was James Bennett who played in five matches from 1798 to 1805. Not to be confused with John Bennett (Derbyshire cricketer)
  
  ## Career
  
  Bennett was mainly associated with Hampshire but also represented All-England, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and other teams. He played for the Players in the inaugural and second Gentlemen v Players matches in 1806.
  
  He was a fast underarm bowler (hand unknown), a left-handed batsman and an occasional wicketkeeper. He was "an excellent field", generally at mid-wicket. As a batsman, Bennett was described as "a fine and free hitter". His bowling speed was reportedly "very fast".
  
  ## Personal life
  
  John Bennett was a farmer who lived in Kingsley all his life. He was 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and "a stout, strongly built man". He suffered badly from gout for the last thirty years of his life.
  
  