10 Facts About James Gooden

James Gooden played in ten first-class matches for South Australia between 1872 and 1893.

James Gooden was a Norwood delegate to the first ever South Australian Cricket Association Committee of Management meeting on 5 July 1871 and played in the first ever match organised by SACA.

Australian Test cricketer George Giffen would later claim that James Gooden's coaching and encouragement was an important factor in his success.

James Gooden did not score a district century until aged 45 when he scored two in succession, including 147 in a match against North Adelaide, when he and George Giffen put on 365 for the fourth wicket.

James Gooden was one of three South Australians chosen in a combined colonies team to play Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting Boxing Day 1872.

Outside of cricket, James Gooden had a varied career, working at various times as a real estate agent, for the South Australian Gas Company, and, with his brother Charles, licensee of the Napoleon Hotel on King William Street, Adelaide.

James Gooden was a crack rifle shot, captaining South Australia in interstate shooting championships.

James Gooden was a member of the Norwood Voluntary Fire Brigade, a long-time Secretary of the Norwood Working Man's Club and a Master of the Emulation Lodge of Freemasons.

James Gooden was the recipient of a large testimonial raised by old cricketers shortly before his death.

James Gooden died on 17 July 1913, leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters.