Clem Hill's Reminiscences

Notes on Players and Umpires 94 bowling for South Australia against New South Wales in his previous match. HOPKINS, Bert New South Wales all-rounder who failed to translate some excellent performances in first-class ranks into the Test arena. In 20 Test matches he averaged only 16.42 and his 26 wickets cost 26.76 each. HORDERN, Herbert (‘Ranji’) Australia’s first great leg-spinner who represented New South Wales and Philadelphia before appearing in seven Tests for 46 wickets at 23.36 in just over a year from 1911 to 1912. HOWELL, Bill New South Wales medium- pacer and hard-hitting batsman who enjoyed great success in first-class ranks, but was only a steady performer for Australia in 18 Tests with the ball, and negligible with the bat. IREDALE, Frank Late blooming New South Wales batsman who proved to be an elegant stylist, averaged 36.68 from 14 Test matches between 1894 and 1899, and became an Australian selector. IRONMONGER, Bert (‘Dainty’) Left-arm orthodox spinner who first appeared in first-class cricket with Queensland in 1909, but after moving to Victoria did not make his Test debut until 1928 at the age of 45 years and 237 days. In four home series over the next five years he captured 74 wickets at 17.97 from 14 Tests. JOHNS, Alf Victorian wicket-keeper who succeeded Jack Blackham and was chosen for his first English tour in 1896 after just three first-class games. Toured again in 1899 but never played a Test match. JONES, Ernie Australia’s first bowler of express pace, the extrovert ex-miner toured England three times (1896, 1899, 1902) and was always an outer ground hero at Adelaide Oval, where he also shone as an Australian Rules footballer. In 19 Test matches he took 64 wickets at 29.02. KELLEWAY, Charles Dour New South Wales middle-order batsman and fast-medium swing bowler who was a reliable performer either side of the First World War. In 26 Tests between 1910 and 1928 he scored 1422 runs at 37.42 and took 52 wickets at 32.36. KELLY, Jim Reliable wicket-keeper who switched from Victoria to New South Wales because his path in first-class cricket was blocked by Jack Blackham. Made his Test debut on 1896 English tour and maintained his position for 36 Tests in a row to the end of the 1905 tour. Made 73 Test dismissals. LAVER, Frank Fluent batsman and fast-medium bowler whose best Test performance came at the age of 39, when he took eight wickets for 31 at Manchester in 1909. A popular manager, the refusal of the Board of Control to appoint him in that role on the 1912 tour sparked a team mutiny. LYONS, Jack Explosive opening batsman and early South Australian team-mate of Hill. Lyons’ highest Test score of 134 in just over three hours came in the Second Test at Sydney in January 1892. In 14 Tests between 1887 and 1895, he made 731 runs at 27.07. MACARTNEY, Charlie Exhilarating New South Wales batsman and orthodox left-arm spinner who took 100 wickets on his first two English tours (1909, 1912) and scored over 1,000 runs on the last three (1912, 1921 and 1926). At 40 in 1926 he scored three centuries in consecutive Tests. McALISTER, Peter Stylish, if late developing Victorian opening batsman, who was categorised as a Board of Control man in the disputes with leading players in 1909 and 1912. McKIBBIN, Tom New South Wales medium-pacer and off-spinner, who enjoyed fabulous success in first-class ranks and topped the bowling averages on his only tour of England in 1896, but performed only moderately in five Test matches. Often at the centre of throwing accusations. McLEOD, Charlie Moderate all-rounder who represented Australia in 17 Tests between 1894 and 1905, averaging 23.87 with the bat while his 33 wickets cost 40.15 runs each. MASSIE, Hugh Hard-hitting opening batsman who had one moment of Test glory in scoring 55 in the first Ashes match at The Oval in 1882, but otherwise averaged just 15.56 from nine matches. Opened the same tour in brilliant style by scoring 206 against Oxford University, his sole first-class century in 113 innings.