Full Name

Franklyn Joseph Pitcher

Born

June 24, 1879, Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria

Died

January 23, 1921, Northcote, Victoria, (aged 41y 213d)

Batting Style

Right hand Bat

Bowling Style

Right arm Medium

Frank Pitcher holds a unique, if unwelcome, place in cricket history as the only man to be no-balled for throwing on his first-class debut. In was also his only appearance. A right-arm medium-pace bowler, he was picked to play for Victoria against the South Africans at the MCG. His first three deliveries were called three times by the notorious campaigner against chuckers, Bob Crockett, and, clearly shaken, he was immediately taken off. The next day he was called by Crockett's colleague, and the Melbourne Age backed the decision, referring to "an undeniable throw". Pitcher attempted to change his action with no success and he was again taken out of the attack after the over. Those two wretched but historic overs constituted his entire first-class career. Pitcher continued to play grade cricket without incident up to the Great War.
Martin Williamson

Frank Pitcher Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

FormatMatInnsNORunsHSAve100s50sCtSt
FC12018189.000000

Bowling

FormatMatRunsWktsBBIBBMAveSR4w5w10w
FC1110----000

Debut/Last Matches of Frank Pitcher

FC Matches

Span
1910/11 - 1910/11