Fred Johnston (cricketer)
Johnston in 1946 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Frederick Bourke Johnston | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 10 September 1915 Sydney, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 6 September 1977 (aged 61) Sydney, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Leg-spin and googly | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Bowler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1946/47–1950/51 | New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 23 August 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frederick Bourke Johnston (10 September 1915 – 6 September 1977) was an Australian cricketer.[1] He played 36 first-class matches for New South Wales between 1946–47 and 1950–51.[2]
Johnston was a right-arm leg-spin and googly bowler. He was one of the leading spin bowlers in Australia in 1949–50, when he was considered a possible inclusion for Australia's tour of New Zealand, and in 1950–51, when he was one of the possible selections for the Test series against England, but on each occasion Jack Iverson was preferred.[3] 1950–51, when he was 35 years old, was his most successful season, with 38 first-class wickets at an average of 31.60,[4] including figures of 6 for 100 against the touring MCC[5] and 6 for 112 in the Sheffield Shield against Victoria a week later.[6] However, he played no further first-class cricket after that season,[2] the New South Wales selectors preferring the young leg-spinning all-rounders Richie Benaud and Ray Flockton.[7]
Johnston worked as a schoolteacher with the New South Wales Education Department.[8]
References
- ^ "Frederick Johnston". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Frederick Johnston". Cricket Archive. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ Gideon Haigh, Mystery Spinner, Text, Melbourne, 1999, pp. 147, 195, 222.
- ^ "First-Class Bowling in Each Season by Frederick Johnston". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "New South Wales v Marylebone Cricket Club 1950-51". Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Victoria v New South Wales 1950-51". Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Valentine Chosen for N.S.W. Match". Sydney Morning Herald: 9. 16 November 1951.
- ^ "Johnston Coming". Sydney Morning Herald: 9. 2 February 1946.