David Serjeant

Sir David Maurice Serjeant (18 January 1830 – 12 January 1929) was an English-born cricketer who played two first-class cricket matches in Australia for Victoria. Described as a "very good batsman" with a defence that was "neat to a fault",[1] he opened the batting for Victoria in both intercolonial matches, including in the very first against New South Wales, held in March 1856 on the newly-opened Melbourne Cricket Ground. The first ball of the match, bowled by George Gilbert, was driven by Serjeant for two.[2]

He played for Peterborough in England, and in an 1850 match against the touring All-England Eleven, he top-scored in the second innings before being bowled by John Wisden of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack fame.[3] Educated at Cambridge University, Serjeant moved to Australia in 1852 and had a varied career. At club level, he made appearances for Richmond, and served as secretary of the Sandhurst Cricket Club. He returned to England in 1859 to continue his studies.[4] He worked as a physician and surgeon, and was knighted in 1922.[4]

Serjeant's brother and nephews were also cricketers.[5]

He was the author of Australia: Its Cricket Bat and Kangaroo.[6]

Serjeant was the last-surviving member of the cricketers who played in the first intercolonial match between Victoria and New South Wales. He died in London in 1929.