16 Facts About Neil Dansie

Hampton Neil Dansie was an Australian first-class cricketer and long-term administrator for South Australia.

Neil Dansie is the seventh leading run-scorer for South Australia in Sheffield Shield.

Neil Dansie moved to Adelaide with his family as a child and excelled in a wide range of sports, including cricket, Australian rules football and baseball.

Neil Dansie made his first grade cricket debut for Kensington Cricket Club aged 15, one of the youngest ever debutants in the South Australian Grade Cricket League.

Neil Dansie played 39 games for Norwood before retiring in 1949, aged just 21, in order to concentrate on his cricket career.

In January 1949, Neil Dansie was the last player to bat with Don Bradman in an official match, when Bradman played his final innings for Kensington against Port Adelaide Cricket Club at Alberton Oval.

Neil Dansie made his first-class cricket debut on 27 January 1950 on the WACA Ground against Western Australia, making 36 and 13.

Neil Dansie quickly gained a reputation as a hard-hitting batsman with a liking for the pull, sweep and cut shots and a steady off-spin and leg-spin bowler, as well as being known as one of the great characters of South Australian cricket, including gaining the title of being the world's fastest eater.

Neil Dansie became only the second player to reach milestone of 100 Sheffield Shield appearances after Ken Mackay and he achieved the feat in 1966.

Neil Dansie was touted by many as a potential test match prospect throughout the 1950s.

In 1955, Neil Dansie signed with Lancashire League club Todmorden on the advice of former Australian Test cricketer and Bacup Cricket Club professional Arthur Richardson.

Neil Dansie retired from first-class cricket in 1967, after 124 matches and was awarded honorary membership of the South Australian Cricket Association.

In 1976 Neil Dansie was made a selector for the South Australian senior cricket side and all its under-age and women's teams, serving for 30 years.

Neil Dansie served on the SACA board for 25 years, on the City of Campbelltown council and as president of the Australian Sportsmen's Association.

Neil Dansie found time to work for the South Australian Education Department, including many years as the bursar at Norwood Morialta High School.

Neil Dansie died in Adelaide on 23 May 2023, at the age of 94.