John Harry

John Harry was a real utility player. A good right-hand batsman, a decent offspinner, a competent wicketkeeper and a brilliant specialist mid-off. He was on the verge of being picked to tour as a reserve wicketkeeper several times - in 1890 he was left out as he had only played a few games for East Melbourne - before he made his uneventful Test debut against England at Melbourne in 1984-95. He was picked for the 1896 England tour but then replaced - publicly because of a knee injury, privately because the team voted him out - and he sued the Australian Cricket Council, accepting an out-of-court settlement of £180. He made his own way to England where he joined the Lord's groundstaff, even though he was almost 40, but enjoyed little success. He played one-and-a-half more seasons for Victoria after returning. He was an interstate baseball player.
Martin Williamson