William Lambert (1779 (christened 14 March 1779) – 19 April 1851)[1] was an English professional cricketer who played for numerous teams between 1801 and 1817.

A right-handed batting all-rounder, he is widely recognised as one of the greatest batters of cricket's underarm era.

Soon afterwards, he was implicated in a match-fixing scandal and was banned from playing at Lord's by Marylebone Cricket Club.

[2] He is first recorded on 20–21 July 1801 when, aged 22, he played for Surrey against England at Lord's Old Ground.

[3] Over the next few years, Lambert's career progressed to the point where, along with Billy Beldham and Lord Frederick Beauclerk, he was generally recognised as one of cricket's most outstanding players.

[4] The second match in the series soon followed and, while Beldham returned to the Players, Lambert was retained as a given man by the Gentlemen.

Lambert lived in Reigate and continued to play local club cricket until he was over sixty – his last known match was in 1839.