Billy Murdoch

William (Billy) Lloyd Murdoch (born 18 October 1854 in Sandhurst, Victoria - died 18 February 1911 in Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian cricketer, probably best remembered for captaining the Australian tours to England in 1880, 1882 (when the Ashes legend was born), and 1884. He was widely regarded the finest Australian batsman of his day, being bettered only by the English champion WG Grace.

Related Topics:
18 October - 1854 - Victoria - 18 February - 1911 - Melbourne - Australia - Cricketer - England - 1880 - 1882 - Ashes - 1884 - Batsman - WG Grace

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He made his first-class in 1875, at the time regarded as the finest wicketkeeper in Australia, and a highly-rated right-handed batsman. He played in the second Test match ever played, the 1877 clash against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Related Topics:
First-class - 1875 - Wicketkeeper - Batsman - Test - 1877 - England - Melbourne Cricket Ground

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Murdoch established himself as one of the era's greatest batsmen over the next few years, leading Australia in several Test series against England.

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Later in life Murdoch settled in England, and he and John Ferris became the first cricketers to represent two nations at Test level when the two former Australian team-mates represented England against South Africa in Cape Town in March 1892.

Related Topics:
John Ferris - South Africa - Cape Town - March - 1892

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Murdoch's standing as one of the greatest first-class batsmen of his era were strengthened by his statistics; 16,953 runs scored in 391 matches at the average of 26.86 at a time when batting averages were much lower than in modern times.

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He died in Melbourne, Australia in 1911. Present at the Test match between Australia and South Africa, he was seized with apoplexy during the lunch interval and passed away later in the afternoon. His body was embalmed and brought back to England for burial at Bethnal Green, a suburb of London.

Related Topics:
Melbourne - Australia - 1911 - Apoplexy - Interval - England - Bethnal Green - London

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