Thomas Balston (cricketer) should not be confused with Thomas Balston.
| Country: | England |
| Fullname: | Thomas Balston |
| Birth Date: | 30 January 1822 |
| Birth Place: | Maidstone, Kent, England |
| Death Place: | Hollingbourne, Kent, England |
| Batting: | Unknown |
| Club1: | Marylebone Cricket Club |
| Year1: | 1851 |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | First-class |
| Matches1: | 1 |
| Runs1: | 2 |
| Bat Avg1: | 1.00 |
| 100S/50S1: | –/– |
| Top Score1: | 2 |
| Hidedeliveries: | true |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | –/– |
| Date: | 23 June |
| Year: | 2021 |
| Source: | http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/10346.html Cricinfo |
Thomas Balston (30 January 1822 – 23 December 1899) was an English first-class cricketer and barrister.
The seventh son of William Balston, he was born at Maidstone in January 1822.[1] The Balston family had been paper-makers since the 18th century, entering business with the Whatman paper-making family. Their success in business led to social prominence and the Balstons were regarded as being amongst the gentry of their county.[2] [3] Balston died at his residence at Hollingbourne in December 1899, following a protracted illness.[4]
He was educated at Rugby School,[5] before going up to Brasenose College, Oxford. A student of the Inner Temple in April 1845, he was called to the bar to practice as a barrister in June 1848.[1]
Balston played first-class cricket for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), making a single appearance against Cambridge University at Lord's in 1851.[6] Batting twice in the match, he made a duck in the MCC first innings and scored 2 runs in their second innings, being dismissed by David Buchanan and John Weston respectively.[7]