Name:

Murdoch, William L

Nickname:

Billy

Date of Birth:

18 Oct 1854

Gender:

Male

Place of Birth:

Bendigo

Career:

Test: 1877 - 1892

Teams:

Sussex (Regional)
NSW (Regional)
England (Country)
Australia (Country)

The Ashes story: How it all began

Billy Murdoch: Captain of Australia, then played for England

Billy Murdoch was born on 18 October 1854 in Bendigo, VIC. He was a right handed batsman and wicket keeper. He moved to Sydney in 1869 and played for NSW making his first class debut in 1875.

In 1877, Fred Spofforth refused to play against James Lillywhite's team in Melbourne when Murdoch was not selected. In that same year, Murdoch qualified as a solicitor and practised with his brother Gilbert.

In 1878 Murdoch toured England with Dave Gregory’s team as first wicket-keeper. Next year he became the first Australian to carry his bat through an innings in first-class cricket when he made 82 not out for New South Wales against Lord Harris's English team.

He captained Australia in 16 Tests between 1880 and 1890. This included four tours of England.

He settled in England and qualified for Sussex. In 1891-92 he toured South Africa and kept wickets for England in the first Test. In 1893-99 he captained Sussex and made six centuries.

In 1910, he visited Australia and died suddenly on 18 February 1911 at Melbourne while watching a Test match against South Africa. His body was embalmed and buried in the Kensal Green cemetery, London.

In 2019, Murdoch was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame.