44 Facts About Harry Trott

George Henry Stevens Trott was an Australian cricketer who played 24 Test matches as an all-rounder between 1888 and 1898.

Harry Trott made his Test debut in 1888, on a tour of England, and would tour England another three times, scoring more than 1000 runs on each occasion.

At a time when the federation of the Australian colonies was under discussion, the victory saw Harry Trott praised as a "national institution" and his team as having "done more for the federation of Australian hearts than all the big delegates put together".

Harry Trott transferred to South Melbourne, which played in Melbourne's pennant competition, after scouts for the club noticed him playing park cricket.

Harry Trott made his first-class debut for Victoria against an "Australian XI" on New Year's Day 1886, scoring four and 18 not out.

At this point, Harry Trott had enjoyed more success with his bowling.

Harry Trott had an inauspicious Test debut: he made a duck in the first innings and three runs in the second, and did not bowl.

On his return to Australia, Harry Trott's batting continued to improve.

Harry Trott took two quick wickets and the English innings never recovered.

Harry Trott appeared in Victoria's inaugural Sheffield Shield match, against New South Wales in December 1892.

Harry Trott scored 63 and 70 not out in a winning effort.

The second Test at Melbourne saw another English victory; Harry Trott played a rearguard innings of 95 in the second innings, to no avail.

Albert Trott, making his Test debut, was one of four inclusions while Harry was elevated to open the batting.

Opening the bowling in the first innings, Harry Trott dismissed Archie MacLaren, Johnny Briggs and Stoddart.

Harry Trott's all-round contribution was a score of 42 in each innings, six wickets and two catches, but England won The Ashes by chasing a target of 297 runs in the second innings, which they reached with six wickets in hand.

Albert Harry Trott was a controversial omission, in light of performances in the previous Ashes series, but he accompanied the team on their voyage and later settled in England.

Harry Trott had a successful career with Middlesex and appeared for England in two Test matches against South Africa.

The cricket historian David Frith records that when the Harry Trott brothers encountered each other on an English street, they merely exchanged acknowledging nods and kept walking.

In reply, England made 292 with Harry Trott taking two wickets.

At the beginning of England's first innings, Harry Trott opened the bowling with his flighted leg-spin.

However it was as a captain that Harry Trott earned most plaudits.

Harry Trott was by no means anxious for the post, but almost from the first match it was perfectly clear that he was in every way fitted for it.

The ACC continued to attract criticism for being ineffectual and at a meeting of the Victorian Cricket Association in July 1898, Harry Trott tabled a motion that Victoria secede from the ACC.

Less than six months after leading his team to victory over England, Harry Trott endured a severe mental illness.

Harry Trott passed in and out of consciousness over the next four weeks, unable to work or even communicate.

The treatment was unsuccessful and Harry Trott continued to suffer from insomnia, memory loss and apathy.

On 8 May 1899, Harry Trott was committed to the Kew Asylum, a psychiatric hospital in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Harry Trott was recorded as suffering "dementia" and "alcoholism", although there is little empirical evidence for either diagnosis.

Doctors observed that Harry Trott continually stood in one place, showing little interest in events around him.

In February 1900, Harry Trott played in a cricket match for the asylum team against the North Melbourne Rovers club.

Harry Trott captained the Carlton club for two seasons, before spending two seasons with Fitzroy.

Harry Trott later returned to South Melbourne, where he played until the age of 44.

Harry Trott spent his entire working life in the Post Office, employed as a postman and mail sorter.

Harry Trott married Violet Hodson in Fitzroy on 17 February 1890 and the couple had one son.

In 1911, Harry Trott became a selector for the Victorian team when Hugh Trumble resigned to take the secretaryship of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Harry Trott's high standing in the cricket community saw the other candidate for the position withdraw rather than oppose him.

In 1912, Harry Trott took the side of the "Big Six", the Australian cricketers opposed to the newly formed Australian Board of Control for International Cricket's attempt to wrest control of touring Australian sides from the players.

At the age of 51, Harry Trott died of Hodgkin's lymphoma, at his home in inner-suburban Albert Park on 9 November 1917.

Harry Trott was buried at Brighton Cemetery where, two years later, a large monument was erected over his grave, paid for by the Victorian Cricket Association and cricket enthusiasts.

Harry Trott was a first-rate bat, a fine field at point, and his leg breaks made him a very effective change bowler.

Harry Trott often lifted his on-drives and was an exponent of the late cut.

Harry Trott was able to obtain turn from all types of pitches bowling his loopy leg spinners, through varying his pace and flight.

Harry Trott was noted for giving young batsmen a full toss on the leg side, allowing the batsman to hit it to the boundary.

Harry Trott originated a persistent myth that workers at the Sheffield steelworks generated extra plumes of smoke when the Australians were batting at nearby Bramall Lane, in order to reduce the quality of the light.