Famous Cricketers No 100 - Richie Benaud

6. New South Wales v Victoria, Sydney, January 27, 28, 30 (New South Wales won by 196 runs) (6) lbw b E.A.D.Kerr 3 312 123 (7) b J.B.Iverson 24 142 135 SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Sheffield Shield 5 8 0 250 93 31.25 - 2 2 Career 6 9 0 252 93 28.00 - 2 2 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Sheffield Shield (8b) 69 3 270 5 2-71 54.00 - - 1950/51 Benaud was still not an automatic selection in the New South Wales Shield team at this stage, though his chances of selection were bolstered by a return of 6-28 against Northern District at club level. He was named as twelfth man for the opening two matches against Queensland before making it into the eleven for the match against the visiting Englishmen. He did manage to add some consistency to his performances in this season as he registered a start in every innings bar one to rank 21st in the country on averages. His bowling was also better and he picked up 10 wickets at just over 30 to place 19th on the bowling chart. At times, luck did not go his way, most notably in the away clash against South Australia. Benaud took five wickets for the match but could have doubled this if the normally reliable Stan Sismey had not dropped five chances off his bowling! New South Wales finished second in the Shield this season, a single point behind Victoria. Another positive for Benaud was his fighting half-century against the strong Victorian team in Melbourne. New South Wales were routed early by Sam Loxton and Ian Johnson and were reeling at 5/80. Benaud joined veteran wicket-keeper Ron James in a rearguard action that took his side to 6/189. New South Wales salvaged the match and ended with a draw against the eventual champions. He also figured in a century partnership with Jimmy Burke against South Australia, the pair adding 105 for the fourth wicket. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 7. New South Wales v MCC, Sydney, November 10, 11, 13, 14 (Match drawn) did not bat - 509-3d 16.5 2 75 1 T.E Bailey b 339 (4) not out 20 140-2d - - - - 143-2 8. New South Wales v Victoria, Melbourne, November 17, 18, 20, 21 (Match drawn) (7) c.I.H.McDonald b J.B.Iverson 55 346 7 0 47 0 374 2 14 2 56 3 A.L.Hassett lbw 295 D.T Ring c K.R Miller I.H.McDonald c A.R.Morris 9. New South Wales v South Australia, Adelaide, November 24, 25, 27, 28 (Match drawn) (5) c G.R.A.Langley b G.Noblet 48 484 21.6 3 93 4 P.L.Ridings c K.R.Miller 439 1 G Noblet c and b L.R.Weekley b J.W.Wilson st S.G.Simsey 12 1 29 1 H.N.Dansie c R.R.Lindwall 127-4 10. New South Wales v Western Australia, Perth, December 1, 2, 4, 5 (New South Wales won by 229 runs) (6) c T.M.Outridge b C.W.Puckett 0 220 4 2 13 0 243 (5) c R.R.Frankish b R.H.Price 24 303 - - - - 51 11. New South Wales v South Australia, Sydney, February 16, 17, 19, 20 (New South Wales won by ten wickets) (8) run out 37 398 4 0 24 1 L.D.Duldig c and b 207 2 did not bat - 44-0 7 0 44 1 L.D.Duldig b 233 1 16