Herbie Taylor
A South African batting maestro who famously scored centuries against the fearsome English bowling attack of the 1910s.
1889–1973 (age 84)·South African cricketer·Birthday: May 5·The Lost Generation
Biography
Herbie Taylor's cricket career unfolded against the backdrop of a changing South Africa and the interruption of the First World War. Emerging as a stylist with nimble footwork, he built his reputation on the matting pitches of his home country, but his true greatness was confirmed in England. Facing the virtually unplayable googly bowling of Sydney Barnes in 1913-14, Taylor's technique and courage were tested as never before; his performances in that series, including a brilliant century at Johannesburg, cemented his legacy. He captained South Africa in the 1920s, leading a team that often struggled but always fought. Beyond his elegant strokeplay, he was known for his impeccable back-foot defense, a skill that served him well against the era's best pace and spin. His record stood as a benchmark for South African batsmen for generations.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Herbie was born in 1889, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Herbie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1889
Herbie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1889Born
Eiffel Tower opens in Paris
President: Benjamin Harrison
1894Started school
President: Grover Cleveland
1902Became a teenager
The eruption of Mount Pelee kills 30,000 in Martinique
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1905Could drive
Einstein publishes the theory of special relativity
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1907Could vote
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1910Turned 21
Halley's Comet makes its closest approach
President: William Howard Taft
1919Turned 30
Treaty of Versailles signed; Prohibition ratified
President: Woodrow Wilson
1929Turned 40
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1939Turned 50
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1949Turned 60
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
1959Turned 70
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1969Turned 80
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1973Died at 84
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
Key Achievements
- Was the first South African cricketer to score more than 2,500 runs in Test matches.
- Named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1925.
- Captained South Africa in 18 Test matches during the 1920s.
- Scored six of his seven Test centuries on home soil, mastering the unique matting pitches.
Did You Know?
He served as a Major in the British Army during the First World War.
He played first-class cricket for three different South African provinces: Natal, Transvaal, and Western Province.
His batting was particularly noted for its exceptional 'backplay', a term for skilled play off the back foot.
“On a sticky wicket, you must play every ball on its merits.”
