Name:

Hylton, Leslie George

Date of Birth:

29 Mar 1905

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Kingston, Colony of Jamaica

Date Died:

17 May 1955

Career:

Test: 1935 - 1939

Teams:

West Indies (Country)
Jamaica (Regional)

Hylton: Only Test cricketer convicted and hung for murder

Leslie Hylton was born on 29 March 1905 in Kingston, Jamaica. He lost his mother when he was three and was brought up by his aunt, who died when he was 12. Financial difficulties forced him to quit education and work as an assistant at a tailor’s shop. After little success in his new job, Hylton became a labourer at the docks by 1933.

He found respite in cricket and emerged as a batting all-rounder for Jamaica, which he represented in 40 first-class matches from 1926 until his retirement in 1939. His reputation earned him a call-up for the West Indies national team in 1935 against a touring England side that had the likes of Wally Hammond, Leslie Ames, led by R. E. S. Wyatt.

Hylton played six Tests between 1935 and 1939.

In May 1955, Hylton was hung for the murder of his wife Lurline, whom he had shot in a jealous rage due to an extra marital affair.