Peter McAlister

Peter McAlister was a tall right-hand batsman who played eight Tests for Australia without ever making an impression on the field. Six of those Tests came against England in 1903-04 and 1907-08, but it was in 1909 that he began to show signs of the behaviour which led to his infamous brawl with Clem Hill in 1912. Appointed as chairman of selectors, he immediately persuaded his colleagues to send him to England as Monty Noble's vice-captain (it was a 6-5 split decision) , a proposal he argued would enable him to keep an eye on the players, who were increasingly at odd with the board. His tour was not a success - Wisden tactfully noted that, aged 40, "he should have toured England ten years earlier". He made 816 runs at 29, with a best of 85. He also fell out with his team-mates. His bitterness at his treatment spilled over into the way he handled his relationship with Clem Hill, by then Australia's captain. After months of sniping, things came to a head at a selection meeting in February 1912, when Hill punched McAlister on the nose and a 20-minute fight ensued. McAlister's involvement in the game diminished thereafter. In the Sheffield Shield he scored 2398 runs at 32 with a best of 224 for Victoria against New Zealand in 1898-99.
Martin Williamson