Karl Schneider

For an all-too-brief period in the 1920s it appeared Australian cricket would be blessed by three of the most naturally gifted batsmen to have graced the game - Don Bradman, Archie Jackson and Karl Schneider. Tragically, Jackson and Schneider both died before they reached 24, only briefly showing glimpses of their ability.

Schneider's performances at Melbourne's Xavier College brought him into the public eye. In four seasons in the 1st XI, three as captain, he scored 1642 runs, as well as taking 139 wickets with his left-arm spin, and that attracted the attention of Victoria's selectors. He made his state debut as a 17-year-old, arriving at the ground in his school blazer. Batting at No. 8, he scored 55 out of Victoria's record total of 1059, but had to wait two years before getting another chance.

In 1926, unable to break into a strong Victoria side, he moved to Adelaide and in 19267-27, his first season with South Australia, he made 605 runs at 50.41 to help them win the Sheffield Shield. In 1927-28 he repeated his success with 520 runs at 52.00, including three hundreds, earning a place on the Australian second-team tour to New Zealand at the end of the season.

His excellent form continued on tour, with 328 runs at 46.85, but towards the end of the trip he collapsed while horse riding and it soon became apparent that he was seriously ill. He died of leukaemia three weeks after his 23rd birthday, ironically on the same day as Jackson turned 19.
Martin Williamson