Eric Freeman (cricketer)
Eric "Fritzy" Freeman (born 13 July 1944, Semaphore, South Australia) is a former Australian cricketer who played in 11 Tests from 1968 to 1970.[1] He was also a leading Australian rules footballer with Port Adelaide Football Club being fourth in the clubs all time goalkickers.[2]
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Eric Walter Freeman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 13 July 1944 Semaphore, South Australia, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Fritzy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm fast-medium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | All-rounder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Test debut | 19 January 1968 v India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 19 February 1970 v South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1964/65 – 1973/74 | South Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 26 September 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He played cricket for South Australia from 1964–65 to 1973–74. He toured with Australian teams to New Zealand in 1966–67, England in 1968, and India and South Africa in 1969–70. His only first-class century was 116 for the Australians against Northamptonshire in 1968, scored in 90 minutes with five sixes and 13 fours.[3] His best bowling figures were 8 for 47 for South Australia against the New Zealand team in 1967–68 (11 for 97 in the match).[4]
Eric Freeman was the first batsman in test history to get off the mark in his test career by scoring a six. Up to date, only 5 batsmen have achieved that feat in test cricket.[5][6][7]
Following his retirement from playing, Freeman was a commentator and statistician on cricket and football for ABC Radio in Adelaide until his retirement in 2010.[8]
In the 2002 Queen's Birthday Honours Freeman was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for "service to sport, particularly cricket as a player, administrator and commentator".[9]
References
- "Eric Freeman". www.cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- "Freeman (Port Adelaide) Biography at Full Points Footy". Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- Wisden 1969, p. 291.
- Wisden 1969, p. 860.
- "Debutant de Silva joins exclusive club". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- "Six and in: Debutant's rare feat against Aussies". The Courier Mail. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- Unwalla, Shiamak (12 June 2014). "Mark Craig and other batsmen who smashed six off first ball faced in an innings". Cricket Country. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- Eric Freeman puts down his stats pencil
- "Eric Walter FREEMAN". It's an Honour. Retrieved 22 February 2020.