James "Jem" Broadbridge (1795–1843) was an English professional cricketer who is widely considered the outstanding all-rounder in England during the 1820s.
He played mainly for Sussex teams and made 102 known appearances in first-class cricket from 1814 to 1840,[1] being best remembered for his part in the introduction of roundarm bowling.
Born on 25 June 1795 in Duncton, Petworth, Sussex, Jem Broadbridge had a known career spanning the 1814 to 1840 English seasons.
[1] He had an outstanding season in 1825 when inter-county cricket was revived for the first time since 1796, with Sussex playing two matches each against Hampshire and Kent.
Although roundarm had not yet been formally legalised, it was noted that Broadbridge and his Sussex colleague William Lillywhite constantly bowled with arm outstretched and the umpires did not no-ball them.
The result of the "trial" was inconclusive but in practice, with umpires turning a blind eye, Broadbridge and Lillywhite continued to bowl roundarm without penalty.
According to Arthur Haygarth in Scores and Biographies, he was "considered for some seasons the best general cricketer in England, both as a batsman, bowler and single wicket player".