Ernest Raymond Herbert Toshack: The Unlikely Cricket Star
Ernest Raymond Herbert Toshack was an Australian cricketer born on December 8, 1914. He played 12 Tests from 1946 to 1948 and was known for his accuracy and stamina as a left-arm medium-paced bowler.
Imagine a cricket player who overcame the odds, much like a phoenix rising from the ashes of adversity. Ernest Toshack’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Born in 1914, he faced numerous challenges early on, including being orphaned at six and growing up during the Great Depression. Yet, his passion for cricket remained undiminished.
How did this young man from humble beginnings become a regular member of the Australian team? His story is one of perseverance and determination. Toshack’s career began in 1945-46 when he made his debut for New South Wales against Queensland as an opening bowler, aged almost 31.
His first match was a baptism by fire; he took four wickets on his first innings but failed to defend a target. However, his most successful match came in the following fixture against South Australia, where he took 4/30 and 4/78 as New South Wales won by an innings. By the end of the season, he had taken 35 wickets at an average of 18.82.
From Provincial Cricket to International Glory
Toshack’s journey didn’t stop there; he was selected for a non-Test tour of New Zealand in 1946, where he played three provincial matches against Auckland, Canterbury, and Wellington. In the final match, he opened the bowling for Australia with Ray Lindwall, taking four Test wickets. He then took 23 wickets at 10.34 in four matches.
Despite struggling at times, Toshack’s career improved significantly under the guidance of captain Don Bradman. Bradman encouraged him to pitch straighter and slower, which paid dividends. In three Tests, Toshack took 17 wickets, including match figures of 6/82 in one game. However, he was less productive in subsequent matches.
The 1948 Invincibles Tour
Ernest’s career reached its zenith during the 1948 tour to England as part of Bradman’s ‘Invincibles.’ He played a significant role in stifling England’s scoring, particularly at Lord’s. His best Test performance was his 5/40 in the second innings of the Second Test at Lord’s. He also had a moderately successful Third Test, taking figures of 3/101.
His bowling style was unique; he used changes of pace and movement to make scoring off him difficult. Toshack took 6/51 against Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s, removing leading English batsmen Len Hutton and Denis Compton. His recovery from an injury allowed him to play a key role in New South Wales’ victory against Victoria.
Post-Cricket Life
After his cricket career, Toshack joined a firm of builders and spent 25 years as a foreman and supervisor on construction sites around Sydney. He also wrote about cricket and enjoyed cultivating his vegetable garden in the northern Sydney suburb of Hornsby Heights.
A Legacy of Fun and Humor
Ernest Toshack was not just a cricketer; he was a character. His sense of fun was often on show, and he had a unique way of parodying Englishmen by wearing a bowler hat, grabbing a furled umbrella, and placing a cigar in his mouth while touring England.
He was nicknamed ‘The Black Prince’ due to his tanned skin and sense of humor. His teammate Jack Fingleton dubbed him ‘The Voice,’ highlighting his distinctive cricketing persona. Toshack’s legacy lives on through the memories of those who played with him and the stories he left behind.
Ernest Raymond Herbert Toshack, a cricketer whose journey from adversity to international glory is a testament to the human spirit. His story reminds us that no matter how tough life gets, there’s always a chance for redemption and success.
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This page is based on the article Ernie Toshack published in Wikipedia (retrieved on December 9, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
