George Lohmann

George Lohmann (born June 2, 1865; died December 1, 1901) is regarded as one the greatest bowlers of all time. Statistically, he holds the lowest lifetime test bowling average among bowlers with more than ten wickets.

Last days

Lohmann immigrated to South Africa permanently in 1897 and played a full season of first-class cricket for Western Province. In five matches on matting pitches during March 1897 he took 34 wickets for 12.26 runs each, but it was clear throughout that year that his health was unlikely to recover, and he was able to play only one further first-class match for "A Bailey's Transvaal XI".

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However, Lohmann did come back to England in 1901 to manage the second South African touring team (and the first whose matches were actually recognised as first-class). However, his health was clearly never going to recover completely, and even after returning to Cape Town with the onset of autumn in England, Lohmann's condition only became more critical. On the first of December 1901, the tuberculosis he had fought against for nine years finally claimed his life at age 36.

Related Topics:
1901 - Autumn

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