Alick Bannerman
A stonewalling opening batsman whose defensive mastery defined Australia's early Test cricket identity and infuriated bowlers for over a decade.
1854–1924 (age 70)·Australian cricketer·Birthday: March 21
Biography
In an era of flamboyant strokeplay, Alick Bannerman built a career on an almost monastic devotion to defence. The Sydney-born cricketer, making his Test debut in 1879, treated his wicket as a fortress to be guarded at all costs. His painstaking approach was not about personal glory but team stability, often anchoring the innings for hours to allow more aggressive partners to flourish. Bannerman's 28 Tests spanned a formative period for Australian cricket, including the seminal 1882 match at The Oval that gave birth to the Ashes legend. While his batting averages seem modest by modern standards, his value was measured in time spent at the crease and psychological wear on opponents. He retired in 1893, leaving a legacy as one of the game's great obdurate technicians.
#1 When Alick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1854
Alick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1854Born
1859Started school
1867Became a teenager
President: Andrew Johnson
1870Could drive
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1872Could vote
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1875Turned 21
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1884Turned 30
President: Chester A. Arthur
1894Turned 40
President: Grover Cleveland
1904Turned 50
New York City opens its first subway line
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1914Turned 60
World War I begins
President: Woodrow Wilson
1924Turned 70
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
Key Achievements
- Played 28 Test matches for Australia between 1879 and 1893, a significant career span in the sport's early days.
- Scored a Test-best 94 against England at Sydney in 1882, famously missing a century due to a run-out.
- Was a member of the Australian team that defeated England at The Oval in 1882, leading to the creation of the Ashes trophy.
- Took 50 first-class wickets with his occasional right-arm medium pace, showcasing his all-round utility.
Did You Know?
He was known for batting without gloves, a common practice in his era that highlighted his toughness.
His brother, Charles Bannerman, was the first cricketer to score a Test century.
He worked as a clerk for the New South Wales Railway Department during and after his cricket career.
In the 1890 Test at Lord's, he batted for over four hours across two innings for a combined total of 31 runs.
“My bat is my shield; I hold the line for my side.”
