| William Ayling | |
| Birth Date: | 1766 9, df=yes[1] |
| Birth Place: | Cocking, Sussex |
| Death Date: | October |
| Death Place: | Bromley, Kent |
| Family: | Robert Ayling (brother) |
| Club1: | England XI |
| Club2: | Kent XI |
| Year2: | 1806 |
| Type1: | FC |
| Debutdate1: | 28 August |
| Debutyear1: | 1800 |
| Debutfor1: | England XI |
| Debutagainst1: | Surrey XI |
| Lastdate1: | 13 August |
| Lastyear1: | 1810 |
| Lastfor1: | Captain Blagrave's XI |
| Lastagainst1: | Colonel Byng's XI |
| Hidedeliveries: | true |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | First-class |
| Matches1: | 22 |
| Runs1: | 278 |
| Bat Avg1: | 8.17 |
| 100S/50S1: | 0/0 |
| Top Score1: | 45 |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | 8/– |
| Source: | https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/william-ayling-8841 CricInfo |
| Date: | 10 April |
| Year: | 2022 |
William Ayling (30 September 1766 – October 1826) was an English cricketer who played in 22 first-class cricket matches between 1800 and 1810.[2]
Ayling was born in 1766 at Cocking in Sussex, the son of Robert and Mary Ayling. He was a shoemaker and moved to Bromley in Kent in the early years of the 19th century.[1] He made his first-class debut for an England XI against a Surrey side in August 1800 at Lord's Old Ground and went on to play for a variety of sides, most frequently in first-class matches for England sides.[3] He played for the Players in the first two Gentlemen v Players matches in 1806 and made one appearance in a first-class match for a Kent XI against an England side at Bowman's Lodge in 1806.[3]
Playing more frequently for Kent sides in non-first-class matches, including in odds matches, Ayling is known to have played cricket until 1815, playing for club sides including Woolwich Cricket Club and Prince's Plain Club.[1] His batting technique was unusual. He held the bat in one hand until just prior to hitting the ball and stood square on to the bowler.[1]
Ayling died at Bromley in October 1826.[2] It is possible that he was the brother of the Robert Ayling who played two first-class matches for Kent in 1796.[3] [4]