Name:

Gregory, David W

Nickname:

Dave

Date of Birth:

15 Apr 1845

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Fairy Meadow, NSW, Australia

Date Died:

04 Aug 1919

Career:

Test: 1877 - 1879
First Class: 1867 - 1882

Teams:

NSW (Regional)
Australia (Country)

Golden years: Hill & Gregory to Hobbs & Sutcliffe

Dave Gregory: First Ashes Captain 

David (Dave) William Gregory was born on 15 April 1845 at Wollongong. He was part of the famous Gregory dynasty with his brother Ned Gregory and nephew Syd Gregory also playing for Australia. 

Gregory was educated at the St James Model School. His batting style was more of a dour defender who batted with grit, rather than graceful and artistic.

In 1861, he joined the Auditor-General's Department. In 1883, he became inspector of public accounts and later paymaster of the Treasury until he retired in 1908. Meanwhile he had joined the National Cricket Club in Sydney and in 1866 played his first intercolonial match against Victoria.

He captained New South Wales and in March 1877 the combined New South Wales and Victorian side that defeated J. Lillywhite`s English team in what is known as the first Australia-England Test match.

In 1878 with John Conway of Victoria, Gregory organised the first Australian team to visit England. Gregory captained the side which was financed by £50 from each player. It played thirty-seven matches and won thirteen of seventeen eleven-a-side games, including a famous victory at Lords on 27 May 1878 against the MCC that established the repute of Australian cricketers in England.

Gregory retired after the 1878 tour. He was Honourary Secretary NSW Cricket Association after retirement.

He died from an heart attack on 4 August 1919 at Paddington.

Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter