Archibald (Archie) Campbell MacLaren (1 December 1871 in Whalley Range, Manchester, Lancashire – 17 November 1944 in Bracknell, Berkshire) went to Harrow. He was an English cricketer, who played for England and Lancashire.

His best first-class cricket score was his 424 for Lancashire against Somerset at Taunton in 1895, then the highest first-class score and the first innings over 400 (the previous best was 344 by WG Grace in 1876). It stood unbeaten for over 27 years, until Bill Ponsford broke it with 429 for Victoria against Tasmania in February 1923 (MacLaren protested against the status of this match as Tasmania was then not a Sheffield Shield side).

He played in 35 Test matches for England. He was captain in 22 of those, winning 4 times, losing 11 times and drawing 7 times. He was named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1895.

In 1921, after Warwick Armstrong's Australians had retained the Ashes 3 - 0, the 49 year old MacLaren claimed that he could select a side that would beat them. He duly led a self-selected eleven against the all-conquering tourists at Eastbourne. His team were bowled out for just 43 by McDonald and Armstrong but then dismissed the Australians for 174, scored 326 in their second innings and bowled out the Australians for 167 to win by a thrilling 29 runs.

[edit] See also

• History of Test cricket (1890 to 1900)

[edit] External links

• Cricinfo page on Archie MacLaren
• Highest scores over 300 in first-class cricket

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