15 Facts About Frank Laver

Frank Jonas Laver was an Australian cricketer and baseball player.

Frank Laver played in 15 Test matches between 1899 and 1909 and visited England as a player and team manager on four occasions.

The son of Jonas Laver, grazier and timber merchant, and Mary Ann, nee Fry, Frank Laver was the 78th player to represent Australia.

Frank Laver was a right-hand batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler.

Frank Laver was a plucky fieldsman whose bowling was highly suited to the heavy atmosphere and damp pitches of England.

Frank Laver's contribution was a modest 3 runs in each innings and a catch.

Frank Laver's fortunes turned in the next Test match, at Lord's in London, where his three wickets in the second innings clinched an Australian victory by 10 wickets.

Frank Laver was 8 not out in his only innings, and took 0 wickets for 13 runs in 8 overs.

The Board of Control remained unmoved and, in spite of a heated selectors' meeting in which punches were thrown, Frank Laver remained out favour with the Board.

Altogether, Frank Laver played 163 first-class matches in his career between 1891 and 1914.

Frank Laver was a prominent baseball player and member of first ever Australia national baseball team.

Frank Laver participated in the 1897 Kangaroo Tour of the United States, which was the first time an Australian baseball team had played in the US.

Frank Laver went on to become the president of the Victorian Baseball League and vice-president of the Victorian Baseball Union.

Frank Laver was recognised for his contribution to Australian baseball with his induction into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame in 2005.

Frank Laver married Katie Myrtle Adele Major at Kiama, New South Wales in 1914, and had two children.