14 Facts About Tom Garrett

Thomas William Garrett was an early Australian Test cricketer and, later, a distinguished public servant.

Tom Garrett was the second son of a newspaper proprietor and politician who bore the same name.

Tom Garrett was educated at Newington College, while the school was still at Newington House, in the Sydney suburb of Silverwater.

Tom Garrett transferred to the New South Wales Supreme Court in 1876 and was admitted to practice law as a solicitor on 25 February 1882.

Tom Garrett became registrar of probates in 1890, curator of intestate estates as well in 1896, and the public trustee in 1914.

That year, Tom Garrett returned to private practise as a solicitor and, at 81, still attended his office daily.

Tom Garrett played in the first Test match, against Lillywhite's team in Melbourne in March 1877.

Tom Garrett's score was passed later in the day by England opener, Harry Jupp.

Tom Garrett toured England again in 1882, participating in an historic Ashes match at The Oval.

Tom Garrett was noted for his speed in the field: in a Sydney match in 1887 it was reported in the press that he caught a skied ball "in a display of breathtaking agility".

Tom Garrett was rated highly as a skipper, especially for his skill in handling aspiring young bowlers.

Tom Garrett was the selector nominated by New South Wales for the Australian team that toured England in 1890.

Tom Garrett died in 1943 and following a service at St James' Church in Turramurra was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.

Tom Garrett's great-grandson is the Midnight Oil lead singer and former Australian federal politician and government minister, Peter Tom Garrett.