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Rev Edward James Goldsmith
  • Born 1868
  • Died 13 April 1953
  • Educated Tunbridge Wells School and Dublin University
  • Occupation Church of Ireland Clergyman
  • Debut 21 August 1899 v I Zingari at Vice Regal Ground, Dublin
  • Cap Number 236
  • Style Right-hand bat; ccasional wicket keeper
  • Teams Dublin University, Pembroke

Edward Goldsmith owed his Irish cap to a selection dispute which arose over the team for the I Zingari match in 1899. The Phoenix club which already had six players in the Irish side, objected when a seventh, AM Porter, was not allowed to play. Their men, who included the best batsmen in Irish cricket the time, withdrew. Goldsmith, who had had one season in the University XI on a rather irregular basis was brought in. He was far from disgraced: Ireland were soundly beaten thanks to a hundred from Sir TC O'Brien, not yet an Irish player and 16 wickets in the match from BJT Bosanquet then a fast bowler. Goldsmith was second top scorer in the first innings with 19 and managed to avoid the fate of most of his team mates in only falling once to the progemitor of the googly. He had some success as a batsman for Dublin University in 1890, having won his Second XI colours the previous two seasons. On winning his Ist XI place, however, he scored 295 runs at 26.80 with a highest score of 80. This performance put him second in the averages, ahead of his captain Jack Meldon who managed only 25. He also kept wicket on occasions making two stumpings.