Harry Hilliard

Henry Hilliard (7 November 1826 – 19 March 1914) was an Australian cricketer. He played in New South Wales' first match, in 1856, against Victoria, and was the last surviving player from either side.

For the American silent film actor, see Harry Hilliard (actor).

Harry Hilliard
Harry Hilliard in 1887
Personal information
Full nameHenry Hilliard
Born(1826-11-07)7 November 1826
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died19 March 1914(1914-03-19) (aged 87)
Willoughby, New South Wales
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast underarm
RoleBatsman
RelationsWilliam Hilliard (grandson)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1855-56 to 1859-60New South Wales
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 5
Runs scored 42
Batting average 4.66
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 20
Balls bowled 56
Wickets 2
Bowling average 13.50
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling 2/27
Catches/stumpings 4/1
Source: Cricket Archive, 4 July 2016

Life and career

Harry Hilliard played in Sydney when he was 12 for the Union Club against the Military. On one occasion in his youth he was jailed for two days for absconding from his cabinet-making apprenticeship in order to play cricket.[1]

A batsman and good fielder who occasionally kept wicket and bowled, Hilliard played in New South Wales' first match, in 1855-56, against Victoria, and in the next four of what became an annual match. His highest score was 20, against Victoria in 1856-57, the fourth-highest score in a low-scoring match. He and William Gilbert Rees, W. G. Grace's cousin, added 32 for the second wicket in New South Wales' first innings, the highest partnership of the match.[2] He top-scored for New South Wales in his last match, scoring 15 in the first innings of a match in which New South Wales made 44 and 42 and Victoria won easily.[3] New South Wales' highest total in these five matches was 86.

A stroke a few months after his last match in 1860 ended his playing career. He was unable to walk for some time afterwards, but by swimming daily he gradually recovered. He kept up his daily swim for 40 years.[4]

He and his wife had a large family. After his stroke a benefit concert was held for them at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Sydney.[5]

He remained a keen spectator of interstate cricket for the rest of his life, never missing a match, in Sydney or Melbourne, between New South Wales and Victoria.[6] He also followed the Australians on their tour of England in 1878.

He spent most of his working life as a maker and repairer of cricket bats. He was the last surviving player from the first match between New South Wales and Victoria.[7]

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See also

References
  1. "Harry Hilliard Dead". Evening News: 1. 20 March 1914. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  2. "New South Wales v Victoria 1856-57". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  3. "Victoria v New South Wales 1859-60". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  4. "The Sole Survivor". Sydney Sportsman: 7. 22 October 1913. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  5. "Harry Hilliard, the Cricketer". Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer: 2. 25 August 1860. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  6. "The Passing of Harry Hilliard". Sydney Sportsman: 7. 25 March 1914. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  7. "A Veteran Cricketer". Sydney Morning Herald: 21. 21 March 1914. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
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