Full name William Lloyd Murdoch
Born October 18, 1854, Sandhurst, Victoria
Died February 18, 1911, Melbourne, Victoria (aged 56 years 123 days)
Major teams Australia, England, London County, New South Wales, Sussex
Batting style Right-hand bat
Fielding position Wicketkeeper
Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 6s | Ct | St | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tests | 19 | 34 | 5 | 908 | 211 | 31.31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
First-class | 391 | 679 | 48 | 16953 | 321 | 26.86 | 19 | 85 | 218 | 24 |
Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tests | 19 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
First-class | 391 | 764 | 430 | 10 | 2/11 | 43.00 | 3.37 | 76.4 | 0 | 0 |
Test debut | Australia v England at Melbourne, Mar 31-Apr 4, 1877 scorecard |
Last Test | South Africa v England at Cape Town, Mar 19-22, 1892 scorecard |
Test statistics | |
First-class span | 1875/76 - 1904 |
Billy Murdoch, born at Sandhurst, Victoria, October 18, 1854, died at Melbourne, February 18, 1911. Present at the Test match between Australia and South Africa, he was seized with apoplexy during the luncheon interval and passed away later in the afternoon. Murdoch had a long career as a cricketer but his fame will rest mainly on what he did for the Australian teams of 1880, 1882, and 1884. He captained the three elevens, and in all three he was incontestably the finest batsman. Within the last ten years his performances have been to some extent eclipsed by Victor Trumper, but comparison between the two men would hardly be fair, their methods being so different. Sufficient that in his own day Murdoch had no serious rival among Australian batsmen, and except WG Grace scarcely a superior in England. It is no injustice to him, however, to say that, depending far more than present-day batsmen upon forward play, he did not rise to great heights on wickets spoilt by rain. The daring pulls and hooks by which bowlers are now so often demoralised were not within his range, and when the ball turned a great deal he was reduced to defence. To be seen at his best, he needed sunshine and a lively pitch. Then he could be great indeed, as those who remember his famous 153 not out at The Oval in 1880 in the first Test match in this country, and his 211 on the same ground in 1884 will not need to be told.