J. M. BLACKHAM'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21377, 29 December 1932, Page 7

J. M. BLACKHAM'S DEATH

PRINCE OF WICKETKEEPERS LONG AND HONOURABLE RECORD (Received December 28, 7.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 28 John McCarthy Blackham, the former famous international cricketer, known as the prince of wicketkeepers, died to-day after a long illness, at the age of 79. Blackham was a member of the first Australian eleven to play a / test match : n Melbourne against England in 1877, and which was won by Australia. England scored 196 in its first 'innings and there was licit a single bye. Blackham caugh one batsman and stumped audi her. England's iiecond innings realised 108 in which there were four byes. The wicketkeeper again disposed of two opponents, in similar manner. A subscript;©]! was taken up on the ground for the purpose of purchasing souvenirs for Blackham and Kendall, who took eight wickets for 55 runs in England's second innings. The following year Blackham was a member of the first Australian test team to visit England. "Prior to then a long stop was always regarded as a necessity in the Old Country. Blackham, however, astonished English cricketers by dispensing with that fieldsman, and the practice he initiated soon became universal. Blackham usually stood up to tho wicket lo the fastest deliveries of Spofforth, the demon bowler.

The peeevless wicketkeeper went to England again with ihc Australian teams of 1880, 1882, 1884, 1886, 1888, 1890 and 1893, Being captain of the latter s:de. He also played in matches against England in Australia for a period of just on twenty years from 1877 onwards —a truly wondei - fill record. With S. E. Gregory he scored 154 in 73 minutes for Australia against England at Sydney in 1894-5. This still stands a* the ninth-wicket record partnership for Australia in test matches with English teams. Blackham will be remembered by the older' generation of New Zealand cricketers, as he visited the Dominion with the Australian teams of 1877-78, 1880-81 and 1886 87 when they were on their way to England. The names of Blackham, the Biinnermans, Murdoch and Spofforth, who were, members of the teams, are household ones among old-time Dominion cricketers.