Famous Cricketers No 96 - Clarrie Grimmett

1911/12 – in New Zealand At the age of twenty, Grimmett made his first-class debut for Wellington. He was to open the bowling with Jack Saunders, a lively left-arm bowler, who had played for Australia and Victoria until 1910/11. Saunders claimed 6-86 in the first innings, Grimmett failing to take a wicket but he captured 4-48 in the second, the best figures in the second innings. At 9/139, Wellington seemed certain to win the game but eventually Auckland squeezed home by one wicket. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 1. Wellington v Auckland, Wellington, February 23, 24, 26 (Auckland won by one wicket) c and b G.J.Thompson 1 232 22 7 68 0 253 1 b A.N.C.Snedden 2 192 17 0 48 4 E.Horspool c and b 174-9 1 A.N.C.Snedden c W.R.L.Gibbes S.H.Ellis c J.V.Saunders L.G.Taylor lbw SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 50 Ct Other match 1 2 0 3 2 1.50 - 2 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Other match 39 7 116 4 4-48 29.00 - - 1912/13 – in New Zealand Auckland proved the better side in this match, winning comfortable by nine wickets, Grimmett performing well enough with the bat in both innings but claiming only one wicket in the match. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 2. Wellington v Auckland, Auckland Domain, January 1, 2, 3 (Auckland won by nine wickets) c G.B.Cummings b C.Olliff 25 201 18 0 57 1 G.B.Cummings lbw 279 c A.N.C.Snedden b C.Olliff 28 120 2 0 8 0 43-1 SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 50 Ct Plunket Shield 1 2 0 53 28 26.50 - - Career 2 4 0 56 28 14.00 - 2 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Plunket Shield 20 0 65 1 1-57 65.00 - - Career (6b) 59 7 181 5 4-48 36.20 - - 1913/14 – in New Zealand Grimmett played in seven games, batting and bowling in the majority of the innings without achieving anything of real success. He appeared in both fixtures against the Australian tourists but scored only 21 against players of the calibre of Mailey, Armstrong and Noble in the two matches. His bowling, including one over against the great Victor Trumper, proved expensive and he ended his bowling in New Zealand with a wicket with his final ball. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 3. Wellington v Canterbury, Christchurch, January 1, 2, 3 (Canterbury won by 243 runs) run out 0 169 11 0 73 2 H.B.Witta c D.Hay 367 J.L.Paterson c K.H.Tucker 8