In 1885 Bean played an unsuccessful season for his home county of Nottinghamshire before moving on to Sussex.

His most successful season was in 1891, which earned him a place on Lord Sheffield's tour to Australia in 1891/2, but he did not excel himself on the tour, and his form suffered further in 1892, ruling him out of further England contention.

After playing for Sussex, he moved onto the Lord's groundstaff and was a senior member there on his death.

His wife was Eliza predeceased him by approximately 9 years.

This biographical article related to English cricket is a stub.