The Mynn Collection

Alfred and Walter Mynn

Every cricket history book ever written will mention the extraordinary career of Alfred Mynn.

At 6 feet in height and weighing in at around 21 stone he was literally a giant of the game.  Known as “The Lion of Kent” Alfred was a genuine all-rounder, hitting the ball further, harder and more often than most of his contemporaries.  With his strength and a perfect round arm bowling action, he could also deliver the ball at a ferocious pace.  Little wonder that he is credited with over 1,000 wickets in his career.

Alfred represented Kent, the Marylebone Club, the Gentlemen and a number of other high profile XI’s through the second quarter of the 19th century.  He was also undefeated at Single Wicket Match challenges against the best players of his generation.  His highest score with the bat was 125 not out for South v North at Leicester in 1836 despite the handicap of a right leg that was severely injured by a series of blows from the ball (no pads were worn at the time).  Despite fears that his leg was so badly ulcerated that amputation was the only solution, Alfred played on for another two decades.

With his brother Walter – a useful opening batsman for the County – the brothers ran a hop merchants business in Kent.  However, cricketing commitments often kept them from their trade and both were to suffer difficult financial situations.  Indeed, Alfred even spent some time in Debtors Prison in Maidstone in the 1840s.

The Kent Cricket collection at Canterbury includes a folder of correspondence about a Memorial Fund set up after Alfred’s passing, and equipment used by him during his career.