William Neilson (cricketer)

William Francis Neilson (24 September 1850 – 2 May 1880)[1] was an English-born New Zealand cricketer who played for Canterbury in the 1870s.

William Neilson
Personal information
Full name
William Francis Neilson
Born(1850-09-24)24 September 1850
Liverpool, England
Died2 May 1880(1880-05-02) (aged 29)
Christchurch, New Zealand
BattingRight-handed
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1874–75 to 1878–79Canterbury
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 6
Runs scored 123
Batting average 13.66
100s/50s 0/1
Top score 57 not out
Balls bowled 122
Wickets 8
Bowling average 8.37
5 wickets in innings 1
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 5/19
Catches/stumpings 1/0
Source: CricketArchive, 27 March 2017

Born in Liverpool, England, Neilson moved to New Zealand as a young man.[2] He had his best cricket performances in the match against Otago in 1876–77, when he scored 57 not out in the second innings batting at number nine, and then took 5 for 19 to wrap up the Otago innings and the match.[3]

In 1877–78 Neilson organised and captained Canterbury's first trip to the North Island, when they dismissed Auckland for 13 at the Auckland Domain.[4] A few weeks later he captained Canterbury to victory over the touring Australians, the Australians' only loss of the tour.[5] He also led the Canterbury team that toured Tasmania and Victoria in 1878–79.[6]

A popular figure in Canterbury, he was the best amateur billiards player in New Zealand, a fine games player and horse rider, and a prominent owner of racehorses.[7][8] He died on 2 May 1880 after a long illness, aged 29.[9]

References
  1. "William Francis Neilson". Find a Grave. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  2. "The Late Mr. Neilson". Press. Vol. XXXIII, no. 3604. 4 May 1880. p. 2.
  3. "Canterbury v Otago 1876–77". CricketArchive. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  4. "Veteran Cricketers' Record made in 1878 is Still Unbroken". Star: 17. 3 December 1932.
  5. "Canterbury v Australians 1877–78". CricketArchive. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  6. "Canterbury in Australia 1878–79". CricketArchive. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  7. "In Memoriam". Star. No. 3760. 4 May 1880. p. 3.
  8. "Sporting Notes". Evening Star. No. 5358. 10 May 1880. p. 2.
  9. "Tuesday, May 4, 1880". Otago Daily Times. No. 5680. 4 May 1880. p. 2.
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