Kippax

[Red]

Recently read a bit of stuff on Alan Kippax, Australian cricketer of the 20s and 30s. Kippax had an amazing FC record for NSW. Over 6000 runs at an average of 71. Obviously he was an outstanding batsman, because these numbers compare favourably with his contemporaries like Ponsford and Woodful.

However, Kippax is rarely remembered as a great, because his test average was only 36. And he played 22 tests.

Does anyone who knows more about him know why he didn't translate his FC numbers in to a more substantial test career? He is spoken of as a really elegant batsman, in the mould of Trumper and Archie Jackson.

 

[Kippax]

03 Jan 1935 - Gossip from the Playing Fields How Alan Kippax L...

 

[Flem274*]

took up a career as a video analyst iirc

 

[benchmark00]

Is this the bloke who's a Bicardi spokesman?

 

[Kippax]

Is this the bloke who's a Bicardi spokesman?

Have actually been Ashton Turner's agent for a while now. Cribb and I have lost plenty so far.

 

[watson]

The author of the above newspaper article seems to believe that Kippax was shafted ('singularly unlucky') by the selectors;

Kippax was singularly unlucky In regard to Australian Eleven selection. While the star batsman of his State he was passed over by selectors of teams for England in 1921 and 1926, but when he did get his opportunity in 1930 he eclipsed on figures most of the best of past teams.

Incidently, Kippax averaged 54 over 5 Tests in the 1930 Ashes series, even though he top scored with only 83. Consistent without being outstanding.

As for Kippax's career average being only 36 after 22 Tests :- it is not unusal for some batsman to start slow. For example, Steve Waugh averged in the low 30s from 1985 to 1988 (24 Tests) before he had his first stella season in 1989.

 

[Kippax]

01 Jan 1936 - CRICKET STYLIST RETIRES Alan Kippax, Master of S...

CRICKET STYLIST RETIRES

Alan Kippax, Master of Stroke Play

31 Dec 1935 - ALAN KIPPAX. OMITTED FROM N.S.W. TEAM. SYDNEY, D...

6096 RUNS IN SHIELD PLAY.

In Sheffield Shield matches Kippax, scored 6096 runs at 70.88 per innings. Clem Hill, with 6274, alone being ahead of him as regards the aggregate. It is a pity that he could not have made the extra runs needed to take him to the top of the list In first-class cricket. Kippax made 41 centuries, with 315 not out against Queensland as his highest score. He made one century for Australia against England, in Melbourne, in the 1928-29 season.

Looks like a superb site to read up on old Australian players or tours. Alan Kippax's baseball lectures, commitment to foster the game in Queensland, all sorts of good background on him.

Search results for '"alan kippax"' - Digitised newspapers and more - Trove

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kippax-alan-falconer-6968