18 Facts About Billy Murdoch

William Lloyd Murdoch was an Australian cricketer who captained the Australian national side in 16 Test matches between 1880 and 1890.

In 2019 Billy Murdoch was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

Billy Murdoch began his career as a wicket-keeper, but at Test level kept wicket only once, with Jack Blackham being preferred.

Billy Murdoch was born in Sandhurst, Victoria, to Gilbert Billy Murdoch and his wife Susanna.

Billy Murdoch's father was an American of Scottish descent, who had been a corporal in the US Army prior to emigrating from Maryland to Tasmania in 1849.

Billy Murdoch married Jemima Watson daughter of John Boyd Watson on 8 December 1884 at the Free Church of England, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia.

Billy Murdoch made his first-class entry in 1875, at the time regarded as the finest wicketkeeper in Australia, and a highly rated right-handed batsman.

Billy Murdoch played in the second Test match ever played, the 1877 clash against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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

Billy Murdoch was the batsman whose contentious run out caused friction between New South Wales and a visiting English team led by Lord Harris, which caused a spectator riot.

In 1878, Billy Murdoch toured England and North America with Australia's first representative cricket team, participating in a famous victory over a Marylebone Cricket Club side.

Billy Murdoch was widely regarded the finest Australian batsman of his day, being bettered only by the English champion, W G Grace.

Billy Murdoch was more of an off-side player whose drives and cut strokes were regarded as among the best of his day; but his leg-side play was reputedly not so strong, and his ability against good spin bowling was not as impressive as it might be.

Billy Murdoch again visited England in 1890, and although he topped that season's averages, he did not have an opportunity to regain his best form.

Billy Murdoch then settled in England, qualified for Sussex, and captained the county for several seasons.

Billy 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.

Billy Murdoch died in Melbourne, Australia on 18 February 1911; present at the Test match between Australia and South Africa, he was seized with apoplexy during the lunch interval and died later in the afternoon.

Billy Murdoch's body was embalmed and brought back to England for burial at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.