Eric Freeman (cricketer)
Eric Walter "Fritzy" Freeman OAM (13 July 1944 – 14 December 2020) was an Australian cricketer who played in 11 Test matches from 1968 to 1970.[1] He was also a leading Australian rules footballer with Port Adelaide Football Club, playing 116 games between 1964 and 1972, kicking 390 goals, and playing in their 1965 premiership team.[2]
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Eric Walter Freeman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 13 July 1944 Semaphore, South Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 14 December 2020 (aged 76) Woodville South, South Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Fritzy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm fast-medium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | All-rounder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Test debut (cap 244) | 19 January 1968 v India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 19 February 1970 v South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1964/65–1973/74 | South Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 15 December 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Life
Born in Semaphore, South Australia, Freeman played cricket for South Australia from 1964–65 to 1973–74. He toured with Australian teams to New Zealand in 1966–67, England in 1968, and India and South Africa in 1969–70. His only first-class century was 116 for the Australians against Northamptonshire in 1968, scored in 90 minutes with five sixes and 13 fours.[3] His best bowling figures were 8 for 47 for South Australia against the New Zealand team in 1967–68 (11 for 97 in the match).[4]
Freeman was the first batsman in test history to get off the mark in his test career by scoring a six.[5][6][7]
Following his retirement from playing, Freeman was a commentator and statistician on cricket and football for ABC Radio in Adelaide until his retirement in 2010.[8]
In the 2002 Queen's Birthday Honours Freeman was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for "service to sport, particularly cricket as a player, administrator and commentator".[9]
References
- "Eric Freeman". cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- Vale Eric Freeman, David Jenkins, South Australian National Football League, 15 December 2020
- Wisden 1969, p. 291.
- Wisden 1969, p. 860.
- "Debutant de Silva joins exclusive club". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- "Six and in: Debutant's rare feat against Aussies". The Courier-Mail. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- Unwalla, Shiamak (12 June 2014). "Mark Craig and other batsmen who smashed six off first ball faced in an innings". Cricket Country. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- Eric Freeman puts down his stats pencil
- "Eric Walter FREEMAN". It's an Honour. Retrieved 22 February 2020.