Name:

Gregory, Sydney E

Nickname:

Syd, Little Tich

Date of Birth:

14 Apr 1870

Gender:

Male

Place of Birth:

Randwick

Career:

Test: 1890 - 1912
First Class: 1889 - 1913

Teams:

Australia (Country)
NSW (Regional)

1905: Archie Mclaren shines in draw (Lords)

Syd Gregory: Captain, member of cricketing family dynasty

Syd Gregory was born on the site of the Sydney Cricket Ground, the son of Test batsman Ned Gregory (1839–1899) who was the SCG curator.

A right-handed batsman, Gregory was small in stature at 5 feet 6 inches. He had sound footwork. He was first selected for New South Wales in 1889. He was selected in Murdoch's team to tour England and in July 1890 made his Test debut at Lord’s.

He was selected for Australia in Test series between 1890 and 1912. He retired from international cricket after captaining Australia in the three-match Triangular series in England in 1912. Six front line Australian players declined to tour in protest at pay conditions, this weakened the Australia team that Gregory led. Furthermore, the touring party was involved in several unsavoury incidents off-field; this reflected poorly on Gregory.  

Known for his fine fielding in the covers, he took 25 Test catches.

Gregory’s brother-in-law, Harry Donnan, was a teammate on the 1896 England tour; the Gregorys are considered one of Australia’s greatest sporting dynasties.

Gregory scored Australia's first double hundred in a Test in Australia in 1894 at the SCG. His 201 was not enough to save Australia from a remarkable defeat as Andrew Stoddart's MCC team won, after following on in the first innings.

In all, Gregory played 58 Tests scoring 2,282 runs at an average of 24.53 with 4 centuries.

After retirement, Gregory set up a few businesses which did not succeed. He was then forced to take a clerical job at the Water Board.

Gregory died on 1 August 1929 at Randwick.

Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter