Name:

Burge, Peter J P

Date of Birth:

17 May 1932

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Kangaroo Point, Qld, Australia

Date Died:

05 Oct 2001

Career:

Test: 1955 - 1966

Teams:

QLD (Regional)
Australia (Country)

Peter Burge: big factor in retaining the Ashes (1964)

Peter John Parnell Burge was born in Brisbane, Queensland on 17 May 1932. He died in Brisbane 5 October 2001.

He was born of a cricketing family in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, and made his début for Queensland at the age of 21, scoring 54 and 46 against South Australia when runs were at a premium. The following season his maiden century came against the strong New South Wales attack and won his "baggy green" in the last Test of the 1954-55 series in Sydney against England.

Burge was not flashy, but he was utterly dependable—part of a golden generation that rebuilt Australian cricket after WWII. He was respected for his grit, skill against pace, and composure in crisis. 

Career Highlights

• Ashes Heroics: Scored a match-winning 160 at Headingley in 1964, helping Australia retain the Ashes in a fiercely contested series.
• Historic 181 vs West Indies (1965): Played one of his finest innings on a bouncy Bridgetown pitch against the legendary West Indian pace attack.
• Tactician and Fighter: Known for his resilience, Burge often delivered under pressure and was revered for his fighting spirit.

He played in 42 Tests, at an average of 38, and scored four Test centuries. His career average was 47 and included 38 centuries.

He was a keen golfer, possessing a long, powerful drive, was a follower of trotting and pacing and remained connected to Queensland cricket throughout his life. He was an ICC match referee for a brief period.