A VETERAN CRICKETER

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 137, 6 December 1918, Page 8

A VETERAN CRICKETER

.DEATH OF CHAKLES M'LEOD.

Mr. Charles E. M'Leod, the Victorian cricketer, whose death at Melbourne took place lately, was a prominent player about 20 years ago. He was first tried for his State as a bowler, and at once achieved success. Later on his batting improved considerably. He played his first match for Australia in the historical game at Sydney in 1894; when Australia led off with the great score of 586, and' were yet. beaten by Stoddart's team by 10 runs. One of Blackham's thumbs was broken during the game, and M'Leod had.to take the gloves. He was the notout man-on the last day. His best season was against the English side which included Ranjitsinhji, when he mad? scores of 50 (not out), 26, 112, 31, 1, 64 (not but), 64, and 4. The Australians were at the top of their form in that series of test games, and won the rubber rather easily. M'Leod was second both in batting and bowling averages for his side. He visited England wiin Darling's 1899 Australian eleven, but did not live up to his home reputation, being left out of the first four test games. He, however, was given a chance in the last match of the series, and helped considerably to stave off defeat. The Englishmen started with the fine total of 576, and seven of the colonials were out for 257,. when Gregory and M'Leod added 83. The total eventually reached 352, the Victorian being not out 31. Sent in first with Newall in the follow-on, the pair put up 116 before the latter fell, M'Leod staying till 208 was on the board, of which number his share was 77. In club cricket the late Mr. M'Leod played with the Melbourne Club, and toured New Zealand witb one of its teams. He ,was bom on 24th October, 1869. "lie M'Leods were a cricketing family, the eldest, Robert, being a member of the 1893 Australian eleven, whilst a younger brother, Dan, gave great promise. It is on record that the three . brothers, playing in different games on the same Saturday in Melbourne, each made a century. The three brothers are now all dead.