Bryant (Kent cricketer)

John Bryant (born c. 1717, probably at Bromley, Kent; died 23 July 1772, probably at Bromley) was an English professional cricketer who played in important matches during the 1740s and 1750s. He was mainly associated with Bromley Cricket Club and Kent. Although information about his career is limited by a lack of surviving data, he is known to have made nineteen single wicket and thirteen important match appearances between 1743 and 1756. His brother was James Bryant.

The first definite mention of John Bryant is in the single wicket "threes" match at the Artillery Ground on Monday, 11 July 1743. The six players involved were stated by the London Evening Post to be "the best in England". They were William Hodsoll, John Cutbush and Val Romney playing as Three of Kent; and Richard Newland, William Sawyer and John Bryant playing as Three of All-England. Hodsoll and Newland were the captains. Kent won by 2 runs. The crowd was "computed" (sic) to be 10,000. A return match was arranged at Sevenoaks Vine on Wednesday, 27 July, but it did not come off.

During the next three seasons, the Bryants were regularly involved in senior fixtures, both important and single wicket. In 1747, they played for Kent against All-England in the biggest match of the season. In early August 1747, there were two single wicket matches at the Artillery Ground which were organised by the 2nd Duke of Richmond. In the first, three of his employees Stephen Dingate, Joseph Rudd and Pye defeated Little Bennett, Tall Bennett and William Anderson. In the second, the same threes were to play again but in a "fives" match with the two Bryants added to the Duke's team and with Tom Faulkner and one of Joe or John Harris to their opponents. The result of the second game is unknown.