Billy Midwinter
A nomadic cricketer whose unique double allegiance saw him play Test matches for both Australia and England in the sport's earliest days.
1851–1890 (age 39)·Australian cricketer·Birthday: June 19
Biography
Billy Midwinter is the only man to represent both Australia and England in Ashes contests. Born in the Victorian goldfields, he learned cricket in Australia before traveling to England as a professional for Gloucestershire under W.G. Grace. He first played Test cricket for Australia against England in 1877. While living in England, he played for England against Australia in 1881 and 1882. He later switched back to the Australian side for a final Test in 1887. A skilled all-rounder, his life was one of constant travel between hemispheres. His career was cut short by poor health, dying in a Melbourne asylum.
#1 When Billy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1851
Billy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1851Born
1856Started school
1864Became a teenager
President: Abraham Lincoln
1867Could drive
President: Andrew Johnson
1869Could vote
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1872Turned 21
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1881Turned 30
President: Chester A. Arthur
1890Died at 39
Wounded Knee massacre marks the end of the Indian Wars
President: Benjamin Harrison
Key Achievements
- Remains the only Test cricketer to have played for both Australia and England in matches against each other.
- Played in the very first Test match on English soil at The Oval in 1880, representing Australia.
- Took over 1,200 first-class wickets with his round-arm medium pace while also scoring over 10,000 runs.
Did You Know?
He was famously 'kidnapped' by W.G. Grace from the Australian team hotel in 1878 to play a county match for Gloucestershire.
Midwinter worked as a groundsman at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after his playing career ended.
He died in the Kew Asylum in Melbourne at the age of 38, suffering from 'general paralysis'.
“The ball must be hit, not patted.”
