George McKenzie Kettle was one of three debutants in the 1843 home game against Hampshire. He was not among those advertised to play against Hampshire, but took the place of Abram Bass, another Burton cricketer.

This proved to be his only appearance for Notts; he did though play in 15 First-Class matches between 1838 and 1851, with a top score of 19no for the North v MCC in 1841. This was a rare fixture for him against the MCC, as ten of his First-Class games were played for the Lord's club.

He was born in Overseal, Leicestershire on 6 August 1810 and was mainly connected with the Burton-on-Trent Club, his name first appearing for that town in 1831.

Kettle was a useful player, a member of MCC and earlier in 1843 had represented Midland Counties v MCC at Lord’s.  His occupation was simply described as 'a gentleman', and he certainly played his cricket as an amateur, including one appearance for the aristocratic nomad side, I Zingari, in 1849 against the Gentlemen of Worcestershire.  Kettle played his last game, as far as can be confirmed, in 1852, this time against I Zingari, for the Gentlemen of Staffordshire when he opened the batting - he had also batted at 11 at other times - and scored 6 and 3.

He died at Dallicotte House, a large residence outside Bridgnorth in Shropshire on 13 October 1887.

April 2020

Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 51

See George Kettle's career stats here