Bonnor Middleton

James "Bonnor" Middleton (30 September 1865 in Chester-le-Street, England – 23 December 1913 in Cape Town, Cape Province) was a South African cricketer who played in six Tests from 1896 to 1902. On his debut, he took five wickets in the first innings against England in Port Elizabeth in 1896.[1]

Middleton served in the British Army until Cape Town Cricket Club bought his release so he could become their professional.[2] A left-arm slow-medium opening bowler, Middleton played for Western Province from 1890–91 to 1903–04. His best first-class figures were 7 for 64 in the Currie Cup final against Transvaal in 1897–98. He took 12 for 100 in the match, which Western Province won.[3] He was one of the leading players on South Africa's tour of England in 1894 when no Tests were played; in the South Africans' narrow victory over MCC at Lord's he bowled unchanged through both innings to take 6 for 48 and 6 for 35.[4]

His nickname was given because of his resemblance, as a hard-hitting batsman, to the Australian Test cricketer George Bonnor.[1]