{{short description|England international rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Use British English|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = James Cumberbatch |fullname = James Haywood Cumberbatch |image = James Cumberbatch - Broughton Rangers.jpg |imagesize = |caption = Senior Service Cigarette card featuring James Cumberbatch |birth_date = 9 February 1909 |birth_place = Liverpool, England |death_date = first ¼ 1972 (aged {{circa|62–63}}) |death_place = Northumberland South district, England |height = |weight = |position = {{rlp|WG}} |club1 = Broughton Rangers |year1start = ≤1937 |year1end = ≥37 |appearances1 = |tries1 = |goals1 = |fieldgoals1 = |points1 = |club2 = Newcastle |year2start = ≤1938 |year2end = ≥38 |appearances2 = |tries2 = |goals2 = |fieldgoals2 = |points2 = |teamA = Lancashire |yearAstart = |yearAend = |appearancesA = |triesA = |goalsA = |fieldgoalsA = |pointsA = |teamB = England |yearBstart = 1937 |yearBend = 38 |appearancesB = 2 |triesB = 3 |goalsB = 0 |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 9 |retired = yes |source = <ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/james-cumberbatch/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Rugby league records |id=10266 |title=Jim Cumberbatch |access-date=12 August 2025}}</ref> }}
'''James Haywood Cumberbatch''' (9 February 1909 – first ¼ 1972<ref name="Death details at freebmd.org.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=1ZsDOYk7HpmTIjBw3Low%2BA&scan=1|title=Death details at freebmd.org.uk|publisher=freebmd.org.uk|date=31 December 2015|accessdate=1 January 2016}}</ref>) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Broughton Rangers and Newcastle, as a {{rlp|wg}}.<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org"/><ref>Collins, Tony, and Melling, Phil (2004). ''The Glory of Their Times: Crossing the Colour Line in Rugby League''. Vertical Editions. {{ISBN|1-904091-07-5}}</ref>
==Background== James Cumberbatch was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, and his death aged {{circa|62–63}} was registered in Northumberland South district.
==International honours== Cumberbatch won caps for England while at Broughton Rangers in 1937 against France, and while at Newcastle in 1938 against Wales, and was the only player to win an England cap while at the now defunct Newcastle rugby league club.
==Contemporaneous article extract== "''This live piece of mercury, who has come before the selectors as a Tour probable, first came to Manchester to play for Swinton, who passed him over. However, he signed for Broughton and has since proved their finest acquisition. His clever play on the Broughton left wing has also proved him to be one of the League's foremost attackers. Born in Liverpool, he first played the Association game for his school until he became attached to Barrow St. Matthew’s Club. Has earned his County Cap, and has also played for the League against France. Jimmy’s brother is a member of the Barrow Club, and two brothers keep up the family tradition of excelling at sport. Jimmy is a good sport, a good player, and one of the League’s most popular players.''"<ref>''Sporting Events and Stars - Series of 96 - No. 74 - J. Cumberbatch''. Senior Service. ISBN n/a</ref>
==Personal life== Cumberbatch was the brother of the rugby league footballer Val Cumberbatch.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://archive.today/20110810050330/http://www.greatermanchesteronline.com/news/article.asp?xmn=7768317053623801003092007142856336 Parkinson, Kate (25 June 2007). "Bringing Broughton Rangers back", Greater Manchester Online. Retrieved 6 August 2022.] *[https://cumberbatch.org/jimmy-cumberbatch-the-first-black-player-to-play-for-england/ Jimmy Cumberbatch at cumberbatch.org]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cumberbatch, James}} Category:1909 births Category:1972 deaths Category:Black British sportsmen Category:Broughton Rangers players Category:England national rugby league team players Category:English people of Barbadian descent Category:Sportspeople of Barbadian descent Category:English people of Manx descent Category:English rugby league players Category:Lancashire rugby league team players Category:Newcastle RLFC players Category:Rugby league players from Liverpool Category:Rugby league wingers Category:20th-century English sportsmen