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Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
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Gone....NOT Forgotten!
- Thread starter JBMAC
- Start date
JBMAC
State Captain
Could have been one of the Greats!
Full name Archibald Jackson
Born September 5, 1909, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died February 16, 1933, Clayfields, Brisbane, Queensland (aged 23 years 164 days)
Major teams Australia, New South Wales
Also known as Archibald Alexander Jackson
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak
Profile
There are those who argue to this day that had he lived, Archie Jackson would have rivaled Don Bradman as the greatest batsman off all time. Jackson's death from tuberculosis at the tragically young age of 23 - no Test cricketer has died younger - meant that he gave only glimpses of what might have been. Jackson was a graceful batsman, his innings punctuated by delicate leg-glances, wristy flicks through the covers and exquisite footwork. He made his debut for New South Wales at the age of 17, and within a year was touring New Zealand with Australia, although he had to wait until the fourth Ashes Test of 1928-29 to make his Test debut. In it he hit 164 and a remarkable career beckoned. He struggled for form on the 1930 tour of England, his courageous 73 at The Oval when he added 243 for the fourth wicket with Bradman a rare highlight. But his successes were made against the backdrop of his failing health, and his appearances grew rarer. He died on February 16, 1933, the day that England regained the Ashes in the Bodyline series.
Martin Williamson
Wisden obituary
JACKSON, MR. ARCHIBALD, the New South Wales and Australian Test cricketer, died at Brisbane on February 16, the day that England defeated Australia and regained the Ashes, at the early age of 23. His passing was not only a very sad loss to Australian cricket in particular but to the cricket world in general. A native of Scotland, where he was born on September 5, 1909, he was hailed as a second Victor Trumper--a comparison made alike for his youthful success, elegant style and superb stroke play. Well set up, very active on his feet, and not afraid to jump in to the slow bowlers and hit the ball hard, he accomplished far more in big cricket than Trumper had done at his age. He first attracted attention when at school at Balmain, Sydney, and later at the Roselle School. So quickly did he mature that, at the age of seventeen, he gained an assured place in the New South Wales team. In his first season of Sheffield Shield cricket he scored 464 runs at an average of 58; next year he achieved a feat no other batsman of his age had performed, by making two centuries in a match--131 and 122 against South Australia. For a time Jackson had something of a reputation of being a second innings batsman, for often he failed at his first attempt and then made a good score in the second innings. This weakness, however, he overcame and he soon established himself as an opening batsman for New South Wales. Given his place in the Australian team when the M.C.C. side, under the captaincy of Mr. A. P. F. Chapman, toured Australia in 1928-29, Jackson, on his first appearance in Test cricket against England, made a hundred--the youngest player to do so. This was at Adelaide where in the Fourth Test Match, which England won by 12 runs, he scored 164. For sheer brilliance of execution his strokes during this delightful display could scarcely have been exceeded. He reached three figures with a glorious square drive off Larwood in the first over after lunch and was one of the very few Australian batsmen who during that tour could successfully jump in and drive J. C. White. An innings of 182 in the Australian Test Trial--regarded as the finest he ever played--made certain of his inclusion in the team which visited England in 1930. Unfortunately, English cricket lovers did not in that tour see Jackson at his best, for although he scored over 1,000 runs he failed to reveal his true form until towards the end of the summer. Then, in the final Test Match at the Oval, he put together a score of 73 and helped Bradman in a partnership of 243 for the fourth wicket which still stands as a record in a Test Match between Australia and England. Jackson, of course, never saw Trumper play, but Kippax, in style and stance and in some strokes, was not unlike Trumper; and Jackson, consciously or unconsciously, and while giving full play to his natural tendencies, took Kippax as his model. He had a splendid return from the deep field and, if not so fast a runner as Bradman, covered ground very quickly. His later years were marred by continued ill-health and his untimely end was not unexpected. While lying in hospital on what was to prove his death-bed he was married*
Full name Archibald Jackson
Born September 5, 1909, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died February 16, 1933, Clayfields, Brisbane, Queensland (aged 23 years 164 days)
Major teams Australia, New South Wales
Also known as Archibald Alexander Jackson
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak
Profile
There are those who argue to this day that had he lived, Archie Jackson would have rivaled Don Bradman as the greatest batsman off all time. Jackson's death from tuberculosis at the tragically young age of 23 - no Test cricketer has died younger - meant that he gave only glimpses of what might have been. Jackson was a graceful batsman, his innings punctuated by delicate leg-glances, wristy flicks through the covers and exquisite footwork. He made his debut for New South Wales at the age of 17, and within a year was touring New Zealand with Australia, although he had to wait until the fourth Ashes Test of 1928-29 to make his Test debut. In it he hit 164 and a remarkable career beckoned. He struggled for form on the 1930 tour of England, his courageous 73 at The Oval when he added 243 for the fourth wicket with Bradman a rare highlight. But his successes were made against the backdrop of his failing health, and his appearances grew rarer. He died on February 16, 1933, the day that England regained the Ashes in the Bodyline series.
Martin Williamson
Wisden obituary
JACKSON, MR. ARCHIBALD, the New South Wales and Australian Test cricketer, died at Brisbane on February 16, the day that England defeated Australia and regained the Ashes, at the early age of 23. His passing was not only a very sad loss to Australian cricket in particular but to the cricket world in general. A native of Scotland, where he was born on September 5, 1909, he was hailed as a second Victor Trumper--a comparison made alike for his youthful success, elegant style and superb stroke play. Well set up, very active on his feet, and not afraid to jump in to the slow bowlers and hit the ball hard, he accomplished far more in big cricket than Trumper had done at his age. He first attracted attention when at school at Balmain, Sydney, and later at the Roselle School. So quickly did he mature that, at the age of seventeen, he gained an assured place in the New South Wales team. In his first season of Sheffield Shield cricket he scored 464 runs at an average of 58; next year he achieved a feat no other batsman of his age had performed, by making two centuries in a match--131 and 122 against South Australia. For a time Jackson had something of a reputation of being a second innings batsman, for often he failed at his first attempt and then made a good score in the second innings. This weakness, however, he overcame and he soon established himself as an opening batsman for New South Wales. Given his place in the Australian team when the M.C.C. side, under the captaincy of Mr. A. P. F. Chapman, toured Australia in 1928-29, Jackson, on his first appearance in Test cricket against England, made a hundred--the youngest player to do so. This was at Adelaide where in the Fourth Test Match, which England won by 12 runs, he scored 164. For sheer brilliance of execution his strokes during this delightful display could scarcely have been exceeded. He reached three figures with a glorious square drive off Larwood in the first over after lunch and was one of the very few Australian batsmen who during that tour could successfully jump in and drive J. C. White. An innings of 182 in the Australian Test Trial--regarded as the finest he ever played--made certain of his inclusion in the team which visited England in 1930. Unfortunately, English cricket lovers did not in that tour see Jackson at his best, for although he scored over 1,000 runs he failed to reveal his true form until towards the end of the summer. Then, in the final Test Match at the Oval, he put together a score of 73 and helped Bradman in a partnership of 243 for the fourth wicket which still stands as a record in a Test Match between Australia and England. Jackson, of course, never saw Trumper play, but Kippax, in style and stance and in some strokes, was not unlike Trumper; and Jackson, consciously or unconsciously, and while giving full play to his natural tendencies, took Kippax as his model. He had a splendid return from the deep field and, if not so fast a runner as Bradman, covered ground very quickly. His later years were marred by continued ill-health and his untimely end was not unexpected. While lying in hospital on what was to prove his death-bed he was married*
JBMAC
State Captain
DEFINITELY a Forgotten Hero!
McLEOD CHARLES, born October 24, 1869, died November 26. While Wisden was passing through the press the news came from Melbourne by mail that Charles McLeod died on the 26th of November at his time at Toorah. Though never a great force in Australian cricket he was an excellent all-round man, good enough for a place in almost any eleven. He came to England with the great Australian team of 1899, and paid us a second visit in 1905. In both tours, without doing anything startling, he justified his selection. In 1899 he was overshadowed by the many finer batsmen on the side, but he scored 545 runs, with an average of 17. The Australians were so strong that he was given a chance in only one of the five Test matches, but against England at the Oval he scored 31 not out and 77. He was always a batsman of the ultra-careful school, very strong in defence, but undistinguished in style. Bowling fairly well in 1899 he took eighty-one wickets at a rather heavy cost. The tour of 1905 found him much the same cricketer as before; he scored 722 runs and took ninety-one wickets. This time he played in all five Test matches, but did little or nothing. For many seasons-- 1893 to 1905-- McLeod was a member of the Victorian eleven in the inter-State matches. He played an innings of 112 against England at Melbourne in 1898 and scored 100 against New South Wales in 1896.
McLEOD CHARLES, born October 24, 1869, died November 26. While Wisden was passing through the press the news came from Melbourne by mail that Charles McLeod died on the 26th of November at his time at Toorah. Though never a great force in Australian cricket he was an excellent all-round man, good enough for a place in almost any eleven. He came to England with the great Australian team of 1899, and paid us a second visit in 1905. In both tours, without doing anything startling, he justified his selection. In 1899 he was overshadowed by the many finer batsmen on the side, but he scored 545 runs, with an average of 17. The Australians were so strong that he was given a chance in only one of the five Test matches, but against England at the Oval he scored 31 not out and 77. He was always a batsman of the ultra-careful school, very strong in defence, but undistinguished in style. Bowling fairly well in 1899 he took eighty-one wickets at a rather heavy cost. The tour of 1905 found him much the same cricketer as before; he scored 722 runs and took ninety-one wickets. This time he played in all five Test matches, but did little or nothing. For many seasons-- 1893 to 1905-- McLeod was a member of the Victorian eleven in the inter-State matches. He played an innings of 112 against England at Melbourne in 1898 and scored 100 against New South Wales in 1896.
JBMAC
State Captain
"Most Lethal Bowler"
Schofield Haigh (born March 19, 1871, Berry Brow, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, died February 27, 1921, Taylor Hill, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England) was a Yorkshire and England cricketer who was probably the most lethal bowler on a sticky wicket ever known.
He played club cricket for Keighley Cricket Club and made his debut for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1895, playing for the Tykes until 1913. He played sporadically for England from the 1898/99 tour to 1912 and was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1901.
He bowled right-hand medium pace, but could vary it with slower or faster deliveries very well, and when the pitch helped him he made the ball spin back from the off so much that not even the most skilful batsmen could play him. Indeed, studying county cricket one notices how no batsman ever mastered Haigh in form on a drying pitch, not even men of such skill as possessed by Hobbs, Abel, J.T. Tyldesley, or MacLaren. The deadliness of Haigh's break-back can also be seen in the over 74 percent of his wickets were gained without assistance from fieldsmen - the highest of any bowler with over 500 wickets.
However, because he was of very slight build, Haigh was not able to undertake arduous spells of bowling and his output of overs was always very low for a frontline bowler. Moreover, he lacked the pace to be truly threatening against top batsmen on a good pitch. This explains why Haigh was never even considered for a tour of Australia, and also why his record in Test cricket - apart from one match on matting in South Africa - was modest compared to his prolific exploits in the county game.
The fact that Haigh was not flogged by his captains on good pitches explains his seemingly extraordinary record in first-class cricket. He has the lowest average of any bowler taking 1000 wickets since 1895 except for Hedley Verity. Haigh was also a determined batsman, who hit 1000 runs in 1904 and scored a hundred before lunch in 1901, and a keen fieldsman.
Strangely, Haigh began with Yorkshire as a distinctly fast bowler with a difficult slower ball. Using such methods, combined with a deadly break-back, Haigh was seen in 1896 as the hard-wicket bowler Yorkshire were looking for. He took 84 wickets for just over 15 runs each and took 8 for 78 on a good wicket against the Australians.
However, the following year the strain on his slight frame of bowling fast began to tell on Haigh, and though his 91 wickets at 18.75 placed him in the top twenty of the national averages, he was already noticed to be less formidable than Yorkshire's other bowlers on firm pitches, but quite unplayable after rain - as in the home games with Surrey and Derbyshire. Although he produced a superb, skilful performance against Middlesex at Lord's on a hard pitch the following year, Haigh did comparatively little of note except on sticky wickets. However, just how irresistible he was under those conditions were shown when his bowling beat Hampshire in a day's cricket with 14 for 43. From that point onwards, Haigh was a reliably deadly force on sticky wickets and though his batting developed so well that he averaged 26 in 1901 and saved Yorkshire from defeat at Worcester in 1900. That year, Haigh took 163 wickets for just over 14 each, and in 1902 he was so deadly that 158 wickets fell to him in only 799 overs.
Called to the Test side with a sticky wicket expected in 1905, Haigh had a surprising off-day and was not picked again until 1909. However, so deadly was his bowling on the many sticky wickets of Yorkshire that he came very close to heading the averages for five successive seasons - being only shaded out by Albert Hallam in 1907, in which year he took 13 for 40 against Warwickshire. In these years, Haigh could be relied on to take four or five wickets for fewer than twenty runs every time there was a bad wicket. He was not a bowler for marathon spells, but with such bowlers as Wilfred Rhodes and George Hirst to do the 'donkey work' Haigh could be saved for the kill. After a poor season by his own high standards in 1910, Haigh returned to form in 1911 despite unfavourable pitches and was as irresistible as ever in the dreadful summer of 1912. His 96 wickets for 11.41 was decisive in Yorkshire's Championship win, but another unsuccessful Test appearance and the fact that he was already a veteran at forty-one made him decide to move into coaching at the end of 1913. Strangely enough, he retained his place for Yorkshire primarily as a batsman with a long series of useful - though never large innings, whilst his bowling lapsed into decline.
After 1913 Haigh was a coach at Winchester School, where he was responsible for the emergence of Douglas Jardine. He also umpired several first class matches at the Scarborough Festival after he retired. He died prematurely in early 1921 as a result of a stroke.
Schofield Haigh (born March 19, 1871, Berry Brow, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, died February 27, 1921, Taylor Hill, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England) was a Yorkshire and England cricketer who was probably the most lethal bowler on a sticky wicket ever known.
He played club cricket for Keighley Cricket Club and made his debut for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1895, playing for the Tykes until 1913. He played sporadically for England from the 1898/99 tour to 1912 and was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1901.
He bowled right-hand medium pace, but could vary it with slower or faster deliveries very well, and when the pitch helped him he made the ball spin back from the off so much that not even the most skilful batsmen could play him. Indeed, studying county cricket one notices how no batsman ever mastered Haigh in form on a drying pitch, not even men of such skill as possessed by Hobbs, Abel, J.T. Tyldesley, or MacLaren. The deadliness of Haigh's break-back can also be seen in the over 74 percent of his wickets were gained without assistance from fieldsmen - the highest of any bowler with over 500 wickets.
However, because he was of very slight build, Haigh was not able to undertake arduous spells of bowling and his output of overs was always very low for a frontline bowler. Moreover, he lacked the pace to be truly threatening against top batsmen on a good pitch. This explains why Haigh was never even considered for a tour of Australia, and also why his record in Test cricket - apart from one match on matting in South Africa - was modest compared to his prolific exploits in the county game.
The fact that Haigh was not flogged by his captains on good pitches explains his seemingly extraordinary record in first-class cricket. He has the lowest average of any bowler taking 1000 wickets since 1895 except for Hedley Verity. Haigh was also a determined batsman, who hit 1000 runs in 1904 and scored a hundred before lunch in 1901, and a keen fieldsman.
Strangely, Haigh began with Yorkshire as a distinctly fast bowler with a difficult slower ball. Using such methods, combined with a deadly break-back, Haigh was seen in 1896 as the hard-wicket bowler Yorkshire were looking for. He took 84 wickets for just over 15 runs each and took 8 for 78 on a good wicket against the Australians.
However, the following year the strain on his slight frame of bowling fast began to tell on Haigh, and though his 91 wickets at 18.75 placed him in the top twenty of the national averages, he was already noticed to be less formidable than Yorkshire's other bowlers on firm pitches, but quite unplayable after rain - as in the home games with Surrey and Derbyshire. Although he produced a superb, skilful performance against Middlesex at Lord's on a hard pitch the following year, Haigh did comparatively little of note except on sticky wickets. However, just how irresistible he was under those conditions were shown when his bowling beat Hampshire in a day's cricket with 14 for 43. From that point onwards, Haigh was a reliably deadly force on sticky wickets and though his batting developed so well that he averaged 26 in 1901 and saved Yorkshire from defeat at Worcester in 1900. That year, Haigh took 163 wickets for just over 14 each, and in 1902 he was so deadly that 158 wickets fell to him in only 799 overs.
Called to the Test side with a sticky wicket expected in 1905, Haigh had a surprising off-day and was not picked again until 1909. However, so deadly was his bowling on the many sticky wickets of Yorkshire that he came very close to heading the averages for five successive seasons - being only shaded out by Albert Hallam in 1907, in which year he took 13 for 40 against Warwickshire. In these years, Haigh could be relied on to take four or five wickets for fewer than twenty runs every time there was a bad wicket. He was not a bowler for marathon spells, but with such bowlers as Wilfred Rhodes and George Hirst to do the 'donkey work' Haigh could be saved for the kill. After a poor season by his own high standards in 1910, Haigh returned to form in 1911 despite unfavourable pitches and was as irresistible as ever in the dreadful summer of 1912. His 96 wickets for 11.41 was decisive in Yorkshire's Championship win, but another unsuccessful Test appearance and the fact that he was already a veteran at forty-one made him decide to move into coaching at the end of 1913. Strangely enough, he retained his place for Yorkshire primarily as a batsman with a long series of useful - though never large innings, whilst his bowling lapsed into decline.
After 1913 Haigh was a coach at Winchester School, where he was responsible for the emergence of Douglas Jardine. He also umpired several first class matches at the Scarborough Festival after he retired. He died prematurely in early 1921 as a result of a stroke.
JBMAC
State Captain
Ted Alletson and his legendary innings
EDVIN BOALER 'Ted' Alletson was just an ordinary bowler and even more ordinary a batsman until one fine day in Hove, where he played a knock for Nottinghamshire that immortalised him in cricket history.
Alletson's innings was majestic. It was his only century in the career but still the innings was enough to give him a place in the cricket mythology.
Playing for Nottinghamshire against Sussex, Alletson came in to bat at number 9. His side was in deep trouble. The tall young man who was not known for any exceptional talent started steadily and completed a quick half-century in almost 1 hr.
However, he soon started hitting the bowlers on all sides. The strokes astonished the bowlers and Alletson completed the next 50 in a mind-boggling 15 minutes.
The spectators were in awe and the fielding side was absolutely in daze. Alletson's assault now grew fiercer. He was hitting the balls so fast that it was felt that any body trying to stop it would have lost his hand.
The ball went to the bounadaries like rocket and he completed next 89 runs in just 15 minutes--a display of batting never seen anywhere in the history of cricket either before or after.
His entire 189 had come off a mind-boggling 90 minutes. And his team had scored 227 of which his contribution was absolutely magnificent. In one over he hit 34--a record that remained for decades until Sir Gary Sobers hit M Nash for 36 in an over.
The few thousands that watched the match were witness to the most exciting batting in history. Later on the feat was acknowledged and widely reported. However, Alletson's genius did not return except a few brief innings.
He went back to oblivion. Sir John Arlott went to meet Alletson when the latter was 79 and living in obscurity. Many books appeared on the dazzling dsiplay later on but that innings was sufficient to ensure him a place in cricket folklore.
By SR Alavi
As far as I have been able to ascertain this Joker did not play Test Cricket. Does anyone have any further info on him?
EDVIN BOALER 'Ted' Alletson was just an ordinary bowler and even more ordinary a batsman until one fine day in Hove, where he played a knock for Nottinghamshire that immortalised him in cricket history.
Alletson's innings was majestic. It was his only century in the career but still the innings was enough to give him a place in the cricket mythology.
Playing for Nottinghamshire against Sussex, Alletson came in to bat at number 9. His side was in deep trouble. The tall young man who was not known for any exceptional talent started steadily and completed a quick half-century in almost 1 hr.
However, he soon started hitting the bowlers on all sides. The strokes astonished the bowlers and Alletson completed the next 50 in a mind-boggling 15 minutes.
The spectators were in awe and the fielding side was absolutely in daze. Alletson's assault now grew fiercer. He was hitting the balls so fast that it was felt that any body trying to stop it would have lost his hand.
The ball went to the bounadaries like rocket and he completed next 89 runs in just 15 minutes--a display of batting never seen anywhere in the history of cricket either before or after.
His entire 189 had come off a mind-boggling 90 minutes. And his team had scored 227 of which his contribution was absolutely magnificent. In one over he hit 34--a record that remained for decades until Sir Gary Sobers hit M Nash for 36 in an over.
The few thousands that watched the match were witness to the most exciting batting in history. Later on the feat was acknowledged and widely reported. However, Alletson's genius did not return except a few brief innings.
He went back to oblivion. Sir John Arlott went to meet Alletson when the latter was 79 and living in obscurity. Many books appeared on the dazzling dsiplay later on but that innings was sufficient to ensure him a place in cricket folklore.
By SR Alavi
As far as I have been able to ascertain this Joker did not play Test Cricket. Does anyone have any further info on him?
JBMAC
State Captain
Salim Durrani
GENIUSES ARE rarely predictable and so was Salim Durrani, the immensely talented cricketer who could turn the fate of any game--either with the bat or the bowl.
The only cricketer ever born in Kabul (Afghanistan), Salim Aziz Durrani was India's most exiciting player for over a decade. Always remembered for his penchant for hitting sixes in the era when there were few hitters in the India team, Durrani was a darling of the crowds.
He made his debut in the 1959/60 series against Australia at Mumbai. Initially Durrani was known as a bowler who had a rather lazy action but could surprise the batsman with the turn which he generated due to his height.
Soon his attacking prowess in batting caught everyone's eye. A matchwinner, Durrani was instrumental in the series against England in 1961-62. At the Calcutta test he picked up eight wickets.
His ten wickets in the test at Madras in the same series again guided India to victory. A decade later, Durrani was still around and bowled the great Sir Gary Sobers and Clive Lloyd to take India to victory at Port of Spain in the series against WI.
Durrani was an aggressive batsman who could tear any bowling attack on his day. His century agaisnt WI in the 1962 series is still remebered. In his 29 tests, this stylish left-hander hit seven 50s-- all scintillating and entertaining. His 1,202 runs at an average of 25.04 may not fully reflect the potention of Durrani but he at times lost interest in the game.
He secured 75 wickets with his bowling. In first class cricket, Durrani secured 484 wickets apart from hitting 14 centuries. But it was hit ability to hit sixes that really turned the crowd ecstatic.
In 1973, Durrani was not selected in the Kanpur test and the sports enthusiasts were so agitated that protests echoing 'No Durrani, No Test' were made all over India. Tall and handsome Durrani acted against Parveen Babi in a film that did not do well.
It is generally conceded that Durrani was unfortunate that there were no one day matches in his era. He was a perect player for the limited over matches. But the name of 'Prince Salim' in the annals of Indian cricket history is firm and secure.
By SR Alavi
GENIUSES ARE rarely predictable and so was Salim Durrani, the immensely talented cricketer who could turn the fate of any game--either with the bat or the bowl.
The only cricketer ever born in Kabul (Afghanistan), Salim Aziz Durrani was India's most exiciting player for over a decade. Always remembered for his penchant for hitting sixes in the era when there were few hitters in the India team, Durrani was a darling of the crowds.
He made his debut in the 1959/60 series against Australia at Mumbai. Initially Durrani was known as a bowler who had a rather lazy action but could surprise the batsman with the turn which he generated due to his height.
Soon his attacking prowess in batting caught everyone's eye. A matchwinner, Durrani was instrumental in the series against England in 1961-62. At the Calcutta test he picked up eight wickets.
His ten wickets in the test at Madras in the same series again guided India to victory. A decade later, Durrani was still around and bowled the great Sir Gary Sobers and Clive Lloyd to take India to victory at Port of Spain in the series against WI.
Durrani was an aggressive batsman who could tear any bowling attack on his day. His century agaisnt WI in the 1962 series is still remebered. In his 29 tests, this stylish left-hander hit seven 50s-- all scintillating and entertaining. His 1,202 runs at an average of 25.04 may not fully reflect the potention of Durrani but he at times lost interest in the game.
He secured 75 wickets with his bowling. In first class cricket, Durrani secured 484 wickets apart from hitting 14 centuries. But it was hit ability to hit sixes that really turned the crowd ecstatic.
In 1973, Durrani was not selected in the Kanpur test and the sports enthusiasts were so agitated that protests echoing 'No Durrani, No Test' were made all over India. Tall and handsome Durrani acted against Parveen Babi in a film that did not do well.
It is generally conceded that Durrani was unfortunate that there were no one day matches in his era. He was a perect player for the limited over matches. But the name of 'Prince Salim' in the annals of Indian cricket history is firm and secure.
By SR Alavi
Sure there was something in the Duncan Hamilton book about Larwood biography doing that, although admitedly rather less exciting as it was not during play. Love all the stuff about him having pints in the drinks break and such.
JBMAC
State Captain
Arthur Wellard
ONE OF the most famous of big hitters in the history of the game, Arthur Wellard scored 12,000 runs in his first class cricket of which 3,000 were hit in form of sixes.
In a career that spanned from 1927 to 1950, Wellard hit over 500 sixes--a world record. Wellard hit so many sixes that he baffled the cricket pundits.
In 1933, he hit 51 sixes. He broke his own recod in 1935 when he hit 66 sixes. In 1936 and 1938 he hit 57 sixes each. The record of 66 sixes in an English season stood for fifty years.
It was not until 1985 that Ian Botham hit 85 sixes in a season and Wellard's records were broken. Botham's feat was undoubtedly astonishing as the number of matches in county season had gone out and it was the year of Botham.
But for Arthur Wellard hitting sixes is something he did normally. In his carreer Arthur William Wellard scored 12,575 runs at an average of 19.73 and took 1614 wickets at 24.35.
He was not a slogger and had a strong batting technique. He hit only two centuries and it was not his habit to go for longer innings. But he turned the fate of many matches with his bravado.
As a bowler, Wellard was successful but he his more remembered for his penchant for hitting sixes. In 1929 he took 139 wickets at an average of just 21.
He did the 'double' of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in 1933, 1935 and 1937. Once in a match, he came at six down and scored 77 out of the team's score of 94 runs, then took 7 for 43 and followed it with an innings of 60 in the other innings and when came to bowl again took 3 wickets for 66.
In 1936 he hit a bowler for five sixes on consecutive balls in a county match. (He had already taken 9 wickets in the match and his quickfire 86 in 62 minutes brought the team to victory).
Once agin he hit the great Frank Woolley for five consecutive sixes. His batting at Old Trafford in 1937 against New Zealand in a test took England to victory.
Had the World War not started, he would have tourned India. Wellard was a fine medium fast bowler and a quick fielder as well. But it was his outstanding ability to hit sixes that has given him a firm place in the history of cricket. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 78.
ONE OF the most famous of big hitters in the history of the game, Arthur Wellard scored 12,000 runs in his first class cricket of which 3,000 were hit in form of sixes.
In a career that spanned from 1927 to 1950, Wellard hit over 500 sixes--a world record. Wellard hit so many sixes that he baffled the cricket pundits.
In 1933, he hit 51 sixes. He broke his own recod in 1935 when he hit 66 sixes. In 1936 and 1938 he hit 57 sixes each. The record of 66 sixes in an English season stood for fifty years.
It was not until 1985 that Ian Botham hit 85 sixes in a season and Wellard's records were broken. Botham's feat was undoubtedly astonishing as the number of matches in county season had gone out and it was the year of Botham.
But for Arthur Wellard hitting sixes is something he did normally. In his carreer Arthur William Wellard scored 12,575 runs at an average of 19.73 and took 1614 wickets at 24.35.
He was not a slogger and had a strong batting technique. He hit only two centuries and it was not his habit to go for longer innings. But he turned the fate of many matches with his bravado.
As a bowler, Wellard was successful but he his more remembered for his penchant for hitting sixes. In 1929 he took 139 wickets at an average of just 21.
He did the 'double' of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in 1933, 1935 and 1937. Once in a match, he came at six down and scored 77 out of the team's score of 94 runs, then took 7 for 43 and followed it with an innings of 60 in the other innings and when came to bowl again took 3 wickets for 66.
In 1936 he hit a bowler for five sixes on consecutive balls in a county match. (He had already taken 9 wickets in the match and his quickfire 86 in 62 minutes brought the team to victory).
Once agin he hit the great Frank Woolley for five consecutive sixes. His batting at Old Trafford in 1937 against New Zealand in a test took England to victory.
Had the World War not started, he would have tourned India. Wellard was a fine medium fast bowler and a quick fielder as well. But it was his outstanding ability to hit sixes that has given him a firm place in the history of cricket. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 78.
JBMAC
State Captain
Mohd Nissar
Mohd Nissar: India's legendary fast bowler
IT WAS India's first ever test and the team was to play the colonial masters, England at Lord's in 1932. It would have been too much to expect from Indians who were playing against the country where cricket not only originated but was a way of life.
It was India's batting which seemed more formidable with Nayudu, Wazir Ali, Colah, Jehangir Khan and Naoomal. But on the first day of the match Mohd Nissar bowled with such vengeance that the great England team was restricted to just 259.
The fiery pace of this right arm fast bowler dazzled the English. It was no less than a miracle that batsmen of the calibre of Sutcliffe, Holmes, Paynter, Woolley, Hammond, Jardine and Ames (four of whom had more than 100 centuries in first class cricket).
Just a few days before the test Sutcliffe and Holmes had shared a record first wicket partnership of 555 but were both bowled by Nissar for 6 and 3.
The spectators had barely settled in their seats that Nissar, ably supported by Amar Singh, tore through the batting lineup of England.
Nissar's bolwing surprised the English. His spell of 5-93 was not only devastating but the manner in which he troubled the legendary batsmen made the critics sit and take notice.
India came to bat and could score just 189 though Naoomal, Nayudu and Wazir Ali made substantial scores. However, when England came to bat in their second innings, the Indian bowlers gave a fright to the batsmen.
Jehangir Khan took four wickets, Amar Singh had four wickets and Nissar, one. Though India lost the test, it was the Express speed of Nissar that stole the limelight. It was a befitting answer to the colonial masters.
On the entire tour he grabbed 71 wickets at an average of just 18. In the 1933-34 tour of MCC to India, Nissar's heroics were demonstrated at Brabourne where he again took five wickets in an innings.
Playing for Vizzy XI, his 9-114 was responsible for the only tour defeat of MCC. Once again he was superb with the bowl when Jack Ryder's Aussie team arrived in 1935. He took 35 wickets in 4 'tests' at an average of 13.
On the final tour to England, Nissar once again showed his tremendous ability when he redued England from 422 for 3 to 463 for 7 in just a couple of overs. He departed from international cricket thereafter.
In a match against Sind in Rancji trophy, Nissar took 6 for 17 and sent them packing for just 23. In first class cricket, Nissar secured 396 wickets at an average of 17 is enough to tell his class.
Nissar was born in Hoshiarpur in 1910. He died in Lahore in 1963. After Mohd Nissar and Amar Singh, India never had a fast bowler though medium pacers like Ghavri, Kapil and Sri Nath came on the scene. But India became a country known for its spinners.
Mohd Nissar: India's legendary fast bowler
IT WAS India's first ever test and the team was to play the colonial masters, England at Lord's in 1932. It would have been too much to expect from Indians who were playing against the country where cricket not only originated but was a way of life.
It was India's batting which seemed more formidable with Nayudu, Wazir Ali, Colah, Jehangir Khan and Naoomal. But on the first day of the match Mohd Nissar bowled with such vengeance that the great England team was restricted to just 259.
The fiery pace of this right arm fast bowler dazzled the English. It was no less than a miracle that batsmen of the calibre of Sutcliffe, Holmes, Paynter, Woolley, Hammond, Jardine and Ames (four of whom had more than 100 centuries in first class cricket).
Just a few days before the test Sutcliffe and Holmes had shared a record first wicket partnership of 555 but were both bowled by Nissar for 6 and 3.
The spectators had barely settled in their seats that Nissar, ably supported by Amar Singh, tore through the batting lineup of England.
Nissar's bolwing surprised the English. His spell of 5-93 was not only devastating but the manner in which he troubled the legendary batsmen made the critics sit and take notice.
India came to bat and could score just 189 though Naoomal, Nayudu and Wazir Ali made substantial scores. However, when England came to bat in their second innings, the Indian bowlers gave a fright to the batsmen.
Jehangir Khan took four wickets, Amar Singh had four wickets and Nissar, one. Though India lost the test, it was the Express speed of Nissar that stole the limelight. It was a befitting answer to the colonial masters.
On the entire tour he grabbed 71 wickets at an average of just 18. In the 1933-34 tour of MCC to India, Nissar's heroics were demonstrated at Brabourne where he again took five wickets in an innings.
Playing for Vizzy XI, his 9-114 was responsible for the only tour defeat of MCC. Once again he was superb with the bowl when Jack Ryder's Aussie team arrived in 1935. He took 35 wickets in 4 'tests' at an average of 13.
On the final tour to England, Nissar once again showed his tremendous ability when he redued England from 422 for 3 to 463 for 7 in just a couple of overs. He departed from international cricket thereafter.
In a match against Sind in Rancji trophy, Nissar took 6 for 17 and sent them packing for just 23. In first class cricket, Nissar secured 396 wickets at an average of 17 is enough to tell his class.
Nissar was born in Hoshiarpur in 1910. He died in Lahore in 1963. After Mohd Nissar and Amar Singh, India never had a fast bowler though medium pacers like Ghavri, Kapil and Sri Nath came on the scene. But India became a country known for its spinners.
JBMAC
State Captain
Derek Shackleton
Derek Shackleton, who played seven Tests for England and took a record 2669 wickets for Hampshire, has died at the age of 83. Only six men have taken more wickets than his total first-class haul of 2857, and none of those operated entirely in the post-war period.
Shackleton was a seamer - not fast but metronomic in his accuracy - who was desperately unlucky not to have be called on more by England. Unfortunately for him, he played in an era when Alec Bedser, Fred Trueman and others dominated. "Shrewdly varied, and utterly accurate," wrote John Arlott, "beating down as unremittingly as February rain". He was also economical, conceding under two runs an over. Initially he relied on late outswing, but he later developed an equally late inswinger, and he could also cut the ball either way off the pitch.
His seven Tests came in two bursts separated by almost 12 years, but he was not as penetrative at the highest level. He played once in 1950 and 1951 and then toured India in 1951-52, finishing with the most wickets but only one more Test. He had to wait until 1963 for a recall, taking 14 wickets at 34.53 against West Indies, including 3 for 93 and a best 4 for 92 at Lord's.
He made his debut for Hampshire, who spotted him while he was playing services cricket, in 1948 and was taken on as a batsman who bowled occasional legspin. Bereft of quick bowlers, Hampshire asked him to give it a try. He took 21 wickets in his first season and a hundred in his second. In a career which lasted until 1969 he took 100 wickets in a season 20 times consecutively, his haul of 172 in 1962, a year after he had helped the county to their first Championship, being the best. Few bowlers have got through so many overs, and those that have have been spinners.
In 1955 he took match figures of 14 for 29 against Somerset (including 8 for 4 in their first innings) and five years earlier took five wickets in nine balls for no runs, but not including a hat-trick; that was about the only achievement that eluded him.
In all Shackleton took 2857 first-class wickets at 18.65; his 18 Test wickets cost him 42.66.
After retiring he coached and acted as groundsman at Canford School in Dorset and had a brief spell as an umpire in 1979. He was one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1959.
Derek Shackleton, who played seven Tests for England and took a record 2669 wickets for Hampshire, has died at the age of 83. Only six men have taken more wickets than his total first-class haul of 2857, and none of those operated entirely in the post-war period.
Shackleton was a seamer - not fast but metronomic in his accuracy - who was desperately unlucky not to have be called on more by England. Unfortunately for him, he played in an era when Alec Bedser, Fred Trueman and others dominated. "Shrewdly varied, and utterly accurate," wrote John Arlott, "beating down as unremittingly as February rain". He was also economical, conceding under two runs an over. Initially he relied on late outswing, but he later developed an equally late inswinger, and he could also cut the ball either way off the pitch.
His seven Tests came in two bursts separated by almost 12 years, but he was not as penetrative at the highest level. He played once in 1950 and 1951 and then toured India in 1951-52, finishing with the most wickets but only one more Test. He had to wait until 1963 for a recall, taking 14 wickets at 34.53 against West Indies, including 3 for 93 and a best 4 for 92 at Lord's.
He made his debut for Hampshire, who spotted him while he was playing services cricket, in 1948 and was taken on as a batsman who bowled occasional legspin. Bereft of quick bowlers, Hampshire asked him to give it a try. He took 21 wickets in his first season and a hundred in his second. In a career which lasted until 1969 he took 100 wickets in a season 20 times consecutively, his haul of 172 in 1962, a year after he had helped the county to their first Championship, being the best. Few bowlers have got through so many overs, and those that have have been spinners.
In 1955 he took match figures of 14 for 29 against Somerset (including 8 for 4 in their first innings) and five years earlier took five wickets in nine balls for no runs, but not including a hat-trick; that was about the only achievement that eluded him.
In all Shackleton took 2857 first-class wickets at 18.65; his 18 Test wickets cost him 42.66.
After retiring he coached and acted as groundsman at Canford School in Dorset and had a brief spell as an umpire in 1979. He was one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1959.
JBMAC
State Captain
Les Ames
Leslie ("Les") Ethelbert George Ames, CBE (born 3 December 1905 in Elham, Kent; died 27 February 1990 in Canterbury, Kent) was an outstanding wicket-keeper and batsman for the England cricket team and Kent County Cricket Club. In his obituary, the Wisden of 1991 described him as the greatest wicket-keeper-batsman of all time. He was a pupil at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone.
In Test cricket, Ames played 47 matches, scoring 2,434 runs with a batting average of 40.56, and taking 74 catches, and 23 stumpings. In first-class cricket, he scored 37,248 runs at an average of 43.51, including 102 centuries and 176 fifties, and took 704 catches and 417 stumpings. Unusually for a wicket-keeper, he also bowled over 200 overs, taking 24 first-class wickets with a bowling average of 33.37.
Ames was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1929. He holds a number of wicket-keeping and batting records:
the most dismissals in an English county cricket season (127 in 1929);
the most stumpings in an English season (64 out of 104 dismissals in 1932);
1000 runs and 100 dismissals in each of three seasons (1928, 1929, 1932), a feat that has only been achieved once again in county cricket;
the only wicket-keeper to score 100 first-class centuries;
in 1935 he was the last Englishman to score 100 or more runs before lunch in a Test until Ian Bell did so seventy years later. Ames scored 123 runs in the session which is a record for most runs before lunch in Test cricket.
centuries against every English first-class county, apart from his own county, Kent;
the record 8th wicket partnership for England in Test cricket: 246 with Gubby Allen against New Zealand at Lord's in 1931.
He was the wicket-keeper for the infamous Bodyline tour of Australia in 1932-3. His cricketing career was interrupted by the Second World War. Ames served with the Royal Air Force during, rising to the rank of Squadron Leader, and returned to play as a batsman for Kent after the war.
After his final playing season in 1951, Ames became a successful manager and administrator. He managed MCC tours to the West Indies in 1967–8 and Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 1968–9. He was also the first professional to be appointed as a selector in 1950, continuing until 1956 and serving again in 1958. He was the secretary and manager of Kent County Cricket Club, taking Kent to win the County Championship in 1970.
Ames also briefly played football (soccer) for Gillingham in 1931, making five appearances and scoring one goal.[1]
Leslie ("Les") Ethelbert George Ames, CBE (born 3 December 1905 in Elham, Kent; died 27 February 1990 in Canterbury, Kent) was an outstanding wicket-keeper and batsman for the England cricket team and Kent County Cricket Club. In his obituary, the Wisden of 1991 described him as the greatest wicket-keeper-batsman of all time. He was a pupil at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone.
In Test cricket, Ames played 47 matches, scoring 2,434 runs with a batting average of 40.56, and taking 74 catches, and 23 stumpings. In first-class cricket, he scored 37,248 runs at an average of 43.51, including 102 centuries and 176 fifties, and took 704 catches and 417 stumpings. Unusually for a wicket-keeper, he also bowled over 200 overs, taking 24 first-class wickets with a bowling average of 33.37.
Ames was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1929. He holds a number of wicket-keeping and batting records:
the most dismissals in an English county cricket season (127 in 1929);
the most stumpings in an English season (64 out of 104 dismissals in 1932);
1000 runs and 100 dismissals in each of three seasons (1928, 1929, 1932), a feat that has only been achieved once again in county cricket;
the only wicket-keeper to score 100 first-class centuries;
in 1935 he was the last Englishman to score 100 or more runs before lunch in a Test until Ian Bell did so seventy years later. Ames scored 123 runs in the session which is a record for most runs before lunch in Test cricket.
centuries against every English first-class county, apart from his own county, Kent;
the record 8th wicket partnership for England in Test cricket: 246 with Gubby Allen against New Zealand at Lord's in 1931.
He was the wicket-keeper for the infamous Bodyline tour of Australia in 1932-3. His cricketing career was interrupted by the Second World War. Ames served with the Royal Air Force during, rising to the rank of Squadron Leader, and returned to play as a batsman for Kent after the war.
After his final playing season in 1951, Ames became a successful manager and administrator. He managed MCC tours to the West Indies in 1967–8 and Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 1968–9. He was also the first professional to be appointed as a selector in 1950, continuing until 1956 and serving again in 1958. He was the secretary and manager of Kent County Cricket Club, taking Kent to win the County Championship in 1970.
Ames also briefly played football (soccer) for Gillingham in 1931, making five appearances and scoring one goal.[1]
JBMAC
State Captain
Dennis Compton
DENIS CHARLES Scott Compton was a legend. He was not only a great batsman but the most loved and popular cricketer of his times.
The Brylcream Boy, Compton was the first cricketer to appear in an advertisement. An equally good footballer, Compton was to a large extent responsible in bringing back the interest of English in the game.
Compton turned Middlesex into the most powerful side in the county cricket. Also, he represented Arsenal in Football.
An amateur to the core, Compton played exciting cricket and never chased records unlike his contemporary teammate Len Hutton.
Denis Compton ended with 5,800 runs in 78 tests at an average of over 50 with 17 centuries in his test career apart from 123 centuries in the first class cricket.
He played first class cricket beween 1936 and 1964--a long period by any standards but more than the records, he gave tremendous joy to spectators.
He was the most unorthodox of English batsmen and most brilliant who is said to have possessed all the shots. Particularly, hook was the easiest shot for Compton who faced electrifying fast bowlers like Lindwall and Miller at their peak without any trouble.
Once he had skipped the tour to S Africa because he wanted to play football. He and Bill Edrich turned Middlesex into a supreme batting side.
In 1944/45 Compton played in India. In 17 matches in the Ranji Trophy including the great Holkar-Bombay match, Compton left his indelible mark as crowds went berserk seeing him.
Wearing the Holkar colours, Compton along with Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Merchant set the cricket fields on fire in the season that saw record books re-written.
Compton was an entertainer and often got bored just like all immensely talented cricketers do--Miller and Barry Richards to name a few others. He died in 1997.
Had he not suffered knee problem apart from his soccer commitments (he had 14 English caps), Compton would have amassed more runs.
British Prime Minister John Major said on hearing the news about the death of Compton. 'There will a tear in many an eye' aptly summing the feelings of millions across the world
DENIS CHARLES Scott Compton was a legend. He was not only a great batsman but the most loved and popular cricketer of his times.
The Brylcream Boy, Compton was the first cricketer to appear in an advertisement. An equally good footballer, Compton was to a large extent responsible in bringing back the interest of English in the game.
Compton turned Middlesex into the most powerful side in the county cricket. Also, he represented Arsenal in Football.
An amateur to the core, Compton played exciting cricket and never chased records unlike his contemporary teammate Len Hutton.
Denis Compton ended with 5,800 runs in 78 tests at an average of over 50 with 17 centuries in his test career apart from 123 centuries in the first class cricket.
He played first class cricket beween 1936 and 1964--a long period by any standards but more than the records, he gave tremendous joy to spectators.
He was the most unorthodox of English batsmen and most brilliant who is said to have possessed all the shots. Particularly, hook was the easiest shot for Compton who faced electrifying fast bowlers like Lindwall and Miller at their peak without any trouble.
Once he had skipped the tour to S Africa because he wanted to play football. He and Bill Edrich turned Middlesex into a supreme batting side.
In 1944/45 Compton played in India. In 17 matches in the Ranji Trophy including the great Holkar-Bombay match, Compton left his indelible mark as crowds went berserk seeing him.
Wearing the Holkar colours, Compton along with Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Merchant set the cricket fields on fire in the season that saw record books re-written.
Compton was an entertainer and often got bored just like all immensely talented cricketers do--Miller and Barry Richards to name a few others. He died in 1997.
Had he not suffered knee problem apart from his soccer commitments (he had 14 English caps), Compton would have amassed more runs.
British Prime Minister John Major said on hearing the news about the death of Compton. 'There will a tear in many an eye' aptly summing the feelings of millions across the world
weldone
Hall of Fame Member
Great stuff that! Wish we had such a speedstar today who would send shivers down the opposition batsmen's spines.
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JBMAC
State Captain
Tom Wills
WILLS, THOMAS WENTWORTH SPENCER (1835-1880), cricketer and footballer, was born on 19 December 1835 at Molonglo Plains, New South Wales, eldest son of Horatio Spencer Howe Wills and his wife Elizabeth, née McGuire. He was educated in Melbourne until 1852 when he went to Rugby School where he played football and captained the cricket XI. Intended for Magdalene College, Cambridge, in 1856, he did not matriculate but he was included, by Oxford's permission, in the Cambridge XI in the inter-university match of that year. In 1853-56 he became a notable amateur cricketer in England, playing mainly for the gentlemen of Kent, but also for the Marylebone Club and on one occasion for United Ireland.
Wills returned to Melbourne late in 1856 and played twelve games for Victoria against New South Wales in 1857-76, scoring 319 runs at an average of 21.27 and taking 72 wickets at 10.23. He played for several teams, but mainly for Richmond and for the Melbourne Cricket Club, of which he was secretary in 1857-58. Although articled to a Collingwood solicitor in 1859 he seems never to have practised. In 1861 he accompanied his father and others overland to take up a property at Cullinlaringo, Queensland; in October all but Wills and two others who were absent from the camp were killed by Aboriginals. After helping his brother to run the property he returned to Melbourne in 1864.
Wills then became a cricket coach and trained the Lake Wallace region Aboriginal side that toured England in 1867. As a batsman he could be crudely effective, 'He uses a three pound bat and hits terrific' said James Lillywhite, but he was noted more as a bowler. Wills introduced round-arm and over-arm bowling into Victoria and was constantly accused of throwing, especially his faster deliveries. But fast or slow, thrower or bowler, he returned some devastating analyses at all levels of cricket.
A frequent and cantankerous letter-writer to the sporting press, Wills's most famous letter was in Bell's Life in Victoria, 10 July, 1858, calling for cricketers to take up a winter sport for fitness' sake. The response to this letter enabled him, his brother-in-law H. C. A. Harrison, and others to meet and draw up rules for a football game later to be known as Victorian or Australian Rules. Wills played over 210 games, mainly for Geelong, until he retired in 1876.
The indulgence in drink that seemed inseparable from the cricket of those days found a too-eager practitioner in Wills. As early as 1873 there were thinly veiled public accusations that colonial beer was affecting his cricket and in later years he had to be put under restraint. On 2 May 1880 at his Heidelberg home he eluded the vigilance of a man set to watch over him and stabbed himself to death with a pair of scissors. The inquest returned a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind caused by excessive drinking. For one who had been called 'the Grace of Australia' and 'a model of muscular Christianity' it was a sad end. He was buried in the Heidelberg cemetery after an Anglican service, survived by his wife Sarah Teresa, née Barber, whom he had married at Castlemaine, aged 32. Only one Melbourne paper, the Argus, acknowledged her existence and she finds no mention in Henderson's chapter on the Wills family. There were no children of the marriage.
WILLS, THOMAS WENTWORTH SPENCER (1835-1880), cricketer and footballer, was born on 19 December 1835 at Molonglo Plains, New South Wales, eldest son of Horatio Spencer Howe Wills and his wife Elizabeth, née McGuire. He was educated in Melbourne until 1852 when he went to Rugby School where he played football and captained the cricket XI. Intended for Magdalene College, Cambridge, in 1856, he did not matriculate but he was included, by Oxford's permission, in the Cambridge XI in the inter-university match of that year. In 1853-56 he became a notable amateur cricketer in England, playing mainly for the gentlemen of Kent, but also for the Marylebone Club and on one occasion for United Ireland.
Wills returned to Melbourne late in 1856 and played twelve games for Victoria against New South Wales in 1857-76, scoring 319 runs at an average of 21.27 and taking 72 wickets at 10.23. He played for several teams, but mainly for Richmond and for the Melbourne Cricket Club, of which he was secretary in 1857-58. Although articled to a Collingwood solicitor in 1859 he seems never to have practised. In 1861 he accompanied his father and others overland to take up a property at Cullinlaringo, Queensland; in October all but Wills and two others who were absent from the camp were killed by Aboriginals. After helping his brother to run the property he returned to Melbourne in 1864.
Wills then became a cricket coach and trained the Lake Wallace region Aboriginal side that toured England in 1867. As a batsman he could be crudely effective, 'He uses a three pound bat and hits terrific' said James Lillywhite, but he was noted more as a bowler. Wills introduced round-arm and over-arm bowling into Victoria and was constantly accused of throwing, especially his faster deliveries. But fast or slow, thrower or bowler, he returned some devastating analyses at all levels of cricket.
A frequent and cantankerous letter-writer to the sporting press, Wills's most famous letter was in Bell's Life in Victoria, 10 July, 1858, calling for cricketers to take up a winter sport for fitness' sake. The response to this letter enabled him, his brother-in-law H. C. A. Harrison, and others to meet and draw up rules for a football game later to be known as Victorian or Australian Rules. Wills played over 210 games, mainly for Geelong, until he retired in 1876.
The indulgence in drink that seemed inseparable from the cricket of those days found a too-eager practitioner in Wills. As early as 1873 there were thinly veiled public accusations that colonial beer was affecting his cricket and in later years he had to be put under restraint. On 2 May 1880 at his Heidelberg home he eluded the vigilance of a man set to watch over him and stabbed himself to death with a pair of scissors. The inquest returned a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind caused by excessive drinking. For one who had been called 'the Grace of Australia' and 'a model of muscular Christianity' it was a sad end. He was buried in the Heidelberg cemetery after an Anglican service, survived by his wife Sarah Teresa, née Barber, whom he had married at Castlemaine, aged 32. Only one Melbourne paper, the Argus, acknowledged her existence and she finds no mention in Henderson's chapter on the Wills family. There were no children of the marriage.
JBMAC
State Captain
George Headley: The Black Bradman
George Alphonso Headely was rightly called the Black Bradman because of his outstanding battting and consistency.
He remains one of the most prolific batsmen in cricket history and just a look at his statistics suggest what a man he must have been.
Headley played just 22 tests but hit 10 centuries. His batting average was 60.83, third only to Bradman's 99.94 and Graeme Pollock's marginally better 60.97 among all the batsmen who have played over 10 tests.
Pollock hit just 7 centuries in 23 tests compared to Headley's 10. George Headley was first of the great black batsmen and in a first class career had a record of 9,921 runs in 103 matches at an astonishing average of 69.86.
Headley was such a consistent batsman that he never had a bad series in his career. So much Headley's influence on West Indian cricket that his fans started calling Bradman as 'White Headley'.
George Headley's influence was tremendous on West Indian cricket. Between the first and the second World Wars, Headley consolidated the batting of his team.
It was on his footsteps that the three Ws--Weekes, Walcott, Worrell, Sobers and Kanhai arrived on the scene and turned West Indies into a great side.
After Lord Constantine, he was the single biggest influence on West Indian cricket and to this day Headley is remembered fondly among the father figures in the island nation.
George Alphonso Headely was rightly called the Black Bradman because of his outstanding battting and consistency.
He remains one of the most prolific batsmen in cricket history and just a look at his statistics suggest what a man he must have been.
Headley played just 22 tests but hit 10 centuries. His batting average was 60.83, third only to Bradman's 99.94 and Graeme Pollock's marginally better 60.97 among all the batsmen who have played over 10 tests.
Pollock hit just 7 centuries in 23 tests compared to Headley's 10. George Headley was first of the great black batsmen and in a first class career had a record of 9,921 runs in 103 matches at an astonishing average of 69.86.
Headley was such a consistent batsman that he never had a bad series in his career. So much Headley's influence on West Indian cricket that his fans started calling Bradman as 'White Headley'.
George Headley's influence was tremendous on West Indian cricket. Between the first and the second World Wars, Headley consolidated the batting of his team.
It was on his footsteps that the three Ws--Weekes, Walcott, Worrell, Sobers and Kanhai arrived on the scene and turned West Indies into a great side.
After Lord Constantine, he was the single biggest influence on West Indian cricket and to this day Headley is remembered fondly among the father figures in the island nation.
JBMAC
State Captain
John Goddard
GODDARD, JOHN DOUGLAS CLAUDE, OBE, died in hospital in London on August 26, 1987, aged 68. He had collapsed in his hotel while a guest of MCC at the Bicentenary match at Lord's. Goddard captained West Indies in 22 of his Tests, most notably in England in 1950 when, after losing the first Test, struck back to win the next three and their first series in England. In 1948-49, had led West Indies to a 1-0 victory in India, where he won the toss in all five Tests, only the fourth captain so blessed by fortune. These two tours saw him popular with his players and in charge of happy sides, but this unhappily was not so in Australia in 1951-52. Riven by inter-island rivalries, a disillusioned team was conclusively beaten 4-1. Always a man who put the interests of his team ahead of his own, he stood down for the final Test, feeling that his form was a handicap; West Indies lost again and he returned to lead the side against New Zealand. Although when he went back to New Zealand in 1955-56, it was as player-manager with Atkinson as captain, Goddard was preferred as captain to take the West Indians to England in 1957. This time they lost the series 3-0; had it not been for his 40-minute 0 not out at Edgbaston and his 61 in 3 hours 40 minutes at Trent Bridge, this would surely have been 5-0.
Goddard was a fine allround cricketer: left-hand bat, right-arm medium in-swing bowler or offspinner, and an excellent fielder, especially close to the bat. He first played for Barbados in 1936-37 when he was seventeen, and in 1943-44 he scored a career-best 218 not out when he and Worrell shared an unbroken stand of 502 for the fourth wicket against Trinidad at Bridgetown. He played in all four Tests against England in 1947-48 and as captain at Georgetown and Kingston led West Indies to their two victories in the series. At Georgetown, where England in the first innings were dismissed for 111 on a drying pitch, he took 5 for 31 -his best Test figures - bowling medium-pace off-breaks to a leg-trap. Its both these Tests he opened the batting, but really his place was further down the order.
His highest score in Tests was 83 not out against New Zealand at Christchurch 1955-56, and in all Tests he scored 859 runs with an average of 30.67; his wickets cost 31.81 runs. He played his last first-class game in 1957-58, having scored 3,769 runs, average 33.35, hit five hundreds, and taken 146 wickets at 26.33.
I note with interest and curiousity the mention of "inter island rivalry" and ponder could this be the cause of West Indies Cricket being in the state it is today
GODDARD, JOHN DOUGLAS CLAUDE, OBE, died in hospital in London on August 26, 1987, aged 68. He had collapsed in his hotel while a guest of MCC at the Bicentenary match at Lord's. Goddard captained West Indies in 22 of his Tests, most notably in England in 1950 when, after losing the first Test, struck back to win the next three and their first series in England. In 1948-49, had led West Indies to a 1-0 victory in India, where he won the toss in all five Tests, only the fourth captain so blessed by fortune. These two tours saw him popular with his players and in charge of happy sides, but this unhappily was not so in Australia in 1951-52. Riven by inter-island rivalries, a disillusioned team was conclusively beaten 4-1. Always a man who put the interests of his team ahead of his own, he stood down for the final Test, feeling that his form was a handicap; West Indies lost again and he returned to lead the side against New Zealand. Although when he went back to New Zealand in 1955-56, it was as player-manager with Atkinson as captain, Goddard was preferred as captain to take the West Indians to England in 1957. This time they lost the series 3-0; had it not been for his 40-minute 0 not out at Edgbaston and his 61 in 3 hours 40 minutes at Trent Bridge, this would surely have been 5-0.
Goddard was a fine allround cricketer: left-hand bat, right-arm medium in-swing bowler or offspinner, and an excellent fielder, especially close to the bat. He first played for Barbados in 1936-37 when he was seventeen, and in 1943-44 he scored a career-best 218 not out when he and Worrell shared an unbroken stand of 502 for the fourth wicket against Trinidad at Bridgetown. He played in all four Tests against England in 1947-48 and as captain at Georgetown and Kingston led West Indies to their two victories in the series. At Georgetown, where England in the first innings were dismissed for 111 on a drying pitch, he took 5 for 31 -his best Test figures - bowling medium-pace off-breaks to a leg-trap. Its both these Tests he opened the batting, but really his place was further down the order.
His highest score in Tests was 83 not out against New Zealand at Christchurch 1955-56, and in all Tests he scored 859 runs with an average of 30.67; his wickets cost 31.81 runs. He played his last first-class game in 1957-58, having scored 3,769 runs, average 33.35, hit five hundreds, and taken 146 wickets at 26.33.
I note with interest and curiousity the mention of "inter island rivalry" and ponder could this be the cause of West Indies Cricket being in the state it is today
JBMAC
State Captain
Osbaldeston: Great sportsman and eccentric
GEORGE OSBALDESTON was one of the pioneer cricketers who tried hands successfully at many other sports as well and earned the reputation of the The Champion of England.
His first class career stretched from 1808 to 1830 and is now remembered as a fiery under-arm bowler (In those days the bowling was still under-arm).
As much records are available today, it is learnt that he played 61 innings in his 31 matches and scored 1,002 runs with two centuries at an average of just above 18. His highest was 112.
Once he rode 200 miles in nine hours in a riding competition. He had used 20 horses and the record stands for almost 175 years now.
Osbaldeston played for MCC, Sussex and Surrey. No record of his bowling is available though. Born in 1786, Osbaldeston lived to the age of eighty years and witnessed the growth of cricket into a modern sport. He was also a shooting and hunting freak.
GEORGE OSBALDESTON was one of the pioneer cricketers who tried hands successfully at many other sports as well and earned the reputation of the The Champion of England.
His first class career stretched from 1808 to 1830 and is now remembered as a fiery under-arm bowler (In those days the bowling was still under-arm).
As much records are available today, it is learnt that he played 61 innings in his 31 matches and scored 1,002 runs with two centuries at an average of just above 18. His highest was 112.
Once he rode 200 miles in nine hours in a riding competition. He had used 20 horses and the record stands for almost 175 years now.
Osbaldeston played for MCC, Sussex and Surrey. No record of his bowling is available though. Born in 1786, Osbaldeston lived to the age of eighty years and witnessed the growth of cricket into a modern sport. He was also a shooting and hunting freak.