Albert Wright (Australian cricketer)

Albert Wright
Wright c. 1920
Personal information
Full name
Albert William Wright
Born(1875-09-24)24 September 1875
Adelaide, Australia
Died23 December 1938(1938-12-23) (aged 63)
Adelaide, Australia
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm leg-spin
RoleBowler
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1905/06–1920/21South Australia
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 30
Runs scored 242
Batting average 7.56
100s/50s 0/1
Top score 53
Balls bowled 6,150
Wickets 110
Bowling average 30.81
5 wickets in innings 7
10 wickets in match 1
Best bowling 7/66
Catches/stumpings 8/–
Source: Cricinfo, 5 July 2023

Albert William Wright (24 September 1875 – 23 December 1938) was an Australian cricketer. He played in 30 first-class matches for South Australia between 1905 and 1920 before taking over the preparation of the Adelaide Oval.[1][2]

Early life

Wright was born on 24 September 1875.[3] To William Henry Wright.[4][5] He grew up in the Adelaide suburb of Norwood,[6] and was educated at Sturt Street school, but he did not play cricket there. He started cricket with a Sunday-school team.[6]

Wright an iron-moulder and a A-grade footballer for West Adelaide starting in the 1897 season.[6][7][8][9]

Wright married Clara Elizabeth Doran in Adelaide on 29 April 1901.[4][5]

Cricketer

A leg-spin bowler, Wright began his first-class career at the age of 30 in December 1905.[10] In his second Sheffield Shield match, he took his best innings figures of 7 for 66 when South Australia beat Victoria.[11] Five years later he took his best match figures of 11 for 176 (5 for 75 and 6 for 101) in a 285-run victory over New South Wales.[12]

Wright played first-class cricket for South Australia in 30 matches from 1905 to 1920, finishing with 110 wickets at a bowling average of 30.81, and 242 runs at a batting average of 7.56. Towards the end of his playing career, Wright became curator at the Adelaide Oval,[13][10] succeeding George Dunn after he had been acting curator since March of that year.[14][15]

Wright and his son preparing Adelaide Oval in 1932

In 1927 the New South Wales captain complimented Wright for his work and during the years 1923 to 1929 the Adelaide Oval received some heavy modifications and new additions were added to the grounds.[16][17][18][19]

Personal life

Wright's Oval Home c. 1928

Wright married Clara Elizabeth Doran (1876–1959) in Adelaide on 29 April 1901.[4][20] Wright lived at the Adelaide Oval with his family.[6][21] In May 1935 Wright was assaulted by William John Tremellen, who was later prosecuted for the crime.[22][23]

Death

Wright died in Adelaide on 23 December 1938 from a short illness after undergoing an operation earlier in the week.[24][25] The Flags at the Adelaide Oval were half mast.[26] His funeral left his residence on December 25th 1938 at 2:30pm for West terrace cemetery.[27][28][29][30] Wright was survived by his wife, four sons, Albert, Clem, Charles and Lindsay, and two daughters, Florence and Clara.[28] After Albert's death the BBC paid a tribute to Wright and his popularity with English cricketers.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Albert Wright". Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Adelaide Oval curators tradition honoured in 2024". 2024.
  3. ↑ "Many Happy Returns". 23 September 1929.
  4. 1 2 3 "Marriages". Express and Telegraph: 4. 29 June 1901.
  5. 1 2 "Family Notices". 29 June 1901.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "FAMILIAR FIGIURES". 29 December 1930.
  7. ↑ "DEATH OF MR. A. WRIGHT". 24 December 1938.
  8. ↑ ""BEHIND THE SCENES"". 24 June 1925.
  9. ↑ "Debut Dates". West Adelaide Football Club. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Albert Wright". Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ "Victoria v South Australia 1905-06". Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "New South Wales v South Australia 1910-11". Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  13. ↑ "CRICKET". 18 November 1920.
  14. ↑ "Personal". 5 June 1920.
  15. ↑ "HERE AND THERE". 22 October 1920.
  16. ↑ "Heritage of the City of Adelaide" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "ONE FOR 208". 19 December 1927.
  18. ↑ "PERTH-ADELAIDE AIR SERVICE". 14 June 1928.
  19. ↑ "IN and OUT of the CITY". 14 January 1929.
  20. ↑ Albert Wright And Clara Doran Grave, retrieved 8 April 2026
  21. ↑ "CRICKET ASSOCIATION". 1 February 1928.
  22. ↑ "Oval Caretaker Attacked". 20 May 1935.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ↑ "Oval Curator Hit in Face". 18 May 1935.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ "NOTED MAKER OF WICKETS". 29 December 1938.
  25. ↑ ""ALBY" WRIGHT PASSES". 24 December 1938.
  26. ↑ "WON THE TOSS, BUT LOST FOUR FOR 81". 24 December 1938.
  27. ↑ "ALTERATION OF TIME". 24 December 1938.
  28. 1 2 3 "Noted Maker of Wickets". Advertiser: 18. 24 December 1938.
  29. ↑ "Alby Wright Dies after a Short Illness". News: 5. 23 December 1938.
  30. ↑ "ADELAIDE OVAL CURATOR'S DEATH". 26 December 1938.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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