Reginald Foster

Reginald Erskine (Tip) Foster (16 April 1878 - 13 May 1914) was an English footballer and cricketer. He is the only man to have captained England at both sports.

In cricket, he played for Oxford University, Worcestershire and England. In 1900 he set the record for the highest individual score in the Varsity match. He was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1901. In his first Test match, at Sydney in 1903, he scored 287. This was the highest score in Test cricket until 1930, and (as of 2005) remains the highest score by a debutant, and the highest by an Englishman in Australia. He captained England in the three-match series against South Africa in 1907, winning one match and drawing two.

In football, he played five matches for England including one as captain. He scored three goals.

He suffered from diabetes, which led to his death in 1914 at the age of only 36.

External reference

• Cricinfo page on Tip Foster