George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea

The Right Honourable The Earl of Winchilsea KG PC FRS
Lord Lieutenant of Rutland
In office 12 April 1779 – 2 August 1826
Preceded by	The Earl of Exeter
Succeeded by	The Marquess of Exeter

George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea KG PC FRS (4 November 1752 – 2 August 1826) was an important figure in the history of cricket. His main contributions to the game were patronage and organisation but Winchilsea, an amateur, was also a very keen player. George Finch served with the 87th Foot at the time of the American Revolutionary War from its formation in 1779 to its disbanding in 1783, with the temporary rank of major and lieutenant-colonel.

Finch was the son of William Finch, who was in turn the second son, by his second marriage, of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham (1647–1730), and Charlotte Fermor, daughter of Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret. His sister was Sophia Finch. His father died in 1766 and he inherited the Winchilsea title in 1769, from his childless Uncle, Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea and 3rd Earl of Nottingham. In the 1770s Finch was in Florence as appears as one the recognisable people on the right hand side of Johann Zoffany's painting the Tribuna of the Uffizi.

Winchilsea, "who would go anywhere for a game of cricket", is the winner of the title of Most Recorded Player of the 18th century, though he was far from the best. He has 128 recorded first-class appearances from 1785 to 1800, which just beats William Bullen (120) and William Beldham (117). This is remarkable given that Winchilsea was already 33 before he even played in a senior match. Even so, Winchilsea on the field was something of a liability, despite using a bat that weighed 4 lb 2oz.

In about 1784, Winchilsea was one of the prime movers in the foundation of the White Conduit Club (WCC), so–called because it played on White Conduit Fields. WCC was ostensibly an exclusive club that "only gentlemen" might play for, but the club did employ professionals and one of these was the bowler Thomas Lord, a man who was recognised for his business acumen as well as his bowling ability.

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