William "Silver Billy" Beldham (5 February 1766 – 26 February 1862) was an English professional cricketer who played for numerous teams between 1782 and 1821. He was born at Wrecclesham, near Farnham in Surrey, and died at Tilford, Surrey. In some sources, his name has been given as "Beldam" or "Beldum". A right-handed batting all-rounder, he is widely recognised as one of the greatest batsmen of cricket's underarm era. Using an underarm action, he bowled pitched deliveries at a fast medium pace. He generally fielded in close catching positions, mostly at slip and sometimes played as wicket-keeper. Beldham began his career locally with Farnham Cricket Club. He was soon invited to join the Hambledon Club and became mainly associated with the county teams of Hampshire and Surrey. He regularly played for England teams from 1787 until 1820 and also in many matches for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Early life Beldham was born on 5 February 1766 in the village of Wrecclesham, near Farnham in Surrey, where his family had a farm. His exact birthplace has not been precisely identified but may have been Yew Tree Cottage (built in the early 16th century) as in 1820 – the year before his retirement and move to Tilford – the house was surrendered by a William Beldham to a John Wells (the significance being that Beldham's brother-in-law was fellow cricketer "Honest" John Wells): additionally, there is a strong local tradition that this was his birthplace. Beldham was the fourth of six children (and the third son) of George Beldham (1728–1811) and Ann Benfil (or Bonfil) (1728–1793), and his ancestry in the area can be traced back at least seven generations to Allen Beldham (born mid-16th century). Nothing is known of his schooling but, as he was able to sign his name on his first marriage certificate as opposed to making a witnessed mark, it is likely he had a basic grounding. Much that is known about Beldham (and, indeed, about cricket in the late eighteenth century) is based on discussions he had with the Reverend James Pycroft in 1837 when Beldham was 71 years old. Beldham's reminiscences, and those of his friend William Fennex, provide the basis of Pycroft's The Cricket Field (1854) and Oxford memories: a retrospect after fifty years (1886). Beldham's earliest recollection of cricket is a match in 1780 when his local team, Farnham Cricket Club, defeated the Hambledon Club.