Alan Keith Walker (4 October 1925 – 19 June 2005) was an Australian sportsman. He played rugby union for his country, winning five caps, and scored 19 tries on the tour to Britain and France in 1947–48, including a memorable effort against England at Twickenham stadium. He also played two home Tests against the British & Irish Lions in 1950 before deciding to concentrate his attentions on cricket, which he played as a left-arm fast-medium bowler. In the 1952 NSWRFL season he played first-grade rugby league for Manly-Warringah[1] and Leigh RLFC.
 Alan Walker bowling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Alan Keith Walker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 October 1925 Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 19 June 2005 (aged 79) Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby league | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 30 Jul 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cricket information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Left-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Left-arm fast-medium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1948/49 | New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1956 | Nottinghamshire | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 6 October 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As a cricketer, Walker made his first-class debut for New South Wales at The Gabba in 1948/49 and played for the state until the 1952/53 season. He was selected for the 1949/50 tour of South Africa led by Lindsay Hassett, but was behind the likes of Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall in the pecking order and never played Test cricket. He later played county cricket in England for Nottinghamshire, taking 55 wickets in the 1956 season.
He performed the unusual feat of taking four wickets in four balls for Nottinghamshire against Leicestershire at Leicester in 1956. Uniquely, he took the last wicket of Leicestershire's first innings (Jack Firth), and then the first three wickets of the second innings with his first three balls (Gerry Lester, Maurice Tompkin and Gerald Smithson).
Walker died at the age of 79 in June 2005.
References
edit- ^ "Walker's sound debut in League". The Sun. 5 July 1952. p. 6 (Final Football Lastrace). Retrieved 1 June 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
External links
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