Syd Gregory was 42, semi-retired and on his eighth tour of England when the Australian Board recalled him to captain the depleted 1912 Triangular side. His tour was personally distinguished — he played his 58th Test, a then-record — but the team was beaten and Gregory never played another Test.
Gregory had toured England in 1890, 1893, 1896, 1899, 1902, 1905, 1909 and now 1912 — eight tours, a record.
After the Big Six withdrew in March 1912, the Australian Board approached Gregory in his retirement.
Gregory was the senior surviving Australian Test cricketer of the 1880s generation, having debuted in 1890 and toured England seven times before 1912. He had been a brilliant fielder and a stylish batsman in his prime. By 1912 he was 42 and had effectively retired from international cricket. With the Big Six refusing to tour, the Australian Board approached Gregory and persuaded him to come out of retirement and lead the side. He accepted, knowing the team would be weak. On the tour he played his 58th Test — a record at the time — and contributed steadily with the bat without dominating. Australia lost the deciding Test to England. Gregory, dignified throughout, returned home and never played another Test. He died in 1929. His acceptance of the captaincy in 1912 is one of the unsung gestures of Australian cricket history — a player taking on a thankless task to keep the international fixture alive.
Mar 1912: Big Six withdraw
Apr 1912: Gregory persuaded to captain
May-Aug 1912: Tour England in Triangular
Aug 1912: Australia lose deciding Test at Oval; Gregory's last Test
1890
Test debut for Australia
1890-1909
Seven tours of England
Mar 1912
Recalled to captain after Big Six withdraw
Aug 1912
Final Test, Oval
“Syd Gregory took the job because someone had to.”
Gregory retired immediately after the tour. He worked as a cricket coach in Sydney until his death in 1929 at 59.
A veteran's eighth tour, accepted as a duty when the Big Six walked out, and ending with no win and no recognition.
Gregory's eight tours of England remain a record. His 1912 captaincy is one of the quiet acts of service in Australian cricket history.
Yorkshire v Essex
1932-06-16
On 15-16 June 1932 Herbert Sutcliffe (313) and Percy Holmes (224*) put on 555 for the first wicket against Essex at Leyton, breaking the world first-class record for any wicket and adding a layer of folklore — including a scoreboard that read 554 for several minutes and a hastily reversed declaration — that has clung to the partnership ever since.
Australia v England
1933-02-14
With the fate of the Bodyline series in the balance and England 216 for 6 chasing 340, Eddie Paynter checked himself out of a Brisbane hospital where he was being treated for acute tonsillitis, taxied to the Gabba in pyjamas and a dressing gown, and batted for nearly four hours to score 83. England drew level on first innings, won the Test by six wickets and the series 4-1.
Australia
1934-09-25
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