 His older brother, senior by over ten years, William Willsher, would go on to have an inauspicious career with Kent three years before Edgar's own debut when, in 1847, he appeared in one first-class match, scoring a pair at number eleven and not bowling.Edgar Willsher made his own debut on 11 July 1850 at the Kennington Oval against Surrey.He took four wickets in Surrey's first innings, but was not required to bat again as Kent were dismissed successively for 52 and 84 when following on after Surrey's 248.