A Melville

A Melville Biography

Full name Alan Melville

Born May 19, 1910, Carnarvon, Cape Province

Died April 18, 1983, Sabie, Transvaal (aged 72 years 334 days)

Major teams South Africa, Natal, Oxford University, Sussex, Transvaal

Batting style Right-hand bat

Batting and fielding averages

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	6s	Ct	St
Tests	11	19	2	894	189	52.58	4	3	1	8	0
First-class	190	295	15	10598	189	37.85	25	53		156	0

Bowling averages

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	11	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
First-class	190		6927	3959	132	5/17		29.99	3.42	52.4		7	0

Career statistics

Test debut	South Africa v England at Johannesburg, Dec 24-28, 1938 scorecard
Last Test	South Africa v England at Cape Town, Jan 1-5, 1949 scorecard
Test statistics
First-class span	1928-1949

Profile

MELVILLE, ALAN, who died in the Kruger National Park on April 18, 1983, aged 72, was arguably the most elegant batsman of his generation. Those who were lucky enough to see it still remember after 50 years his innings of 114 in two and a half hours for Sussex against the West Indians at Hove in 1933. It was the summer after the body-line tour and the fast bowlers, Griffith and Martindale, assailed him with vicious bouncers. They might have been serving up by request something to amuse him and the spectators. They were mercilessly hooked and, if they pitched the ball up, they were driven. Even granted the placid Hove wicket, it was a remarkable display. Years afterwards, meeting him at Lord's at a time when short-pitched fast bowling was being constantly discussed, I asked him if he had ever ducked to it. He smiled sweetly and said, I don't think so. I think either I hit them or they hit me! From what I saw of him I doubt if he was ever hit by anything that rose high enough to be hooked. 

 A Melville

A Melville

A Melville

A Melville

A Melville

A Melville

A Melville

A Melville

A Melville

A Melville