Frederick Alfred William Freer (4 December 1915 – 2 November 1998) was an Australian cricketer who played in one Test match in 1946.

Fred Freer
Freer in about 1948
Personal information
Born4 December 1915
North Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Died2 November 1998 (aged 82)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast-medium
International information
National side
Only Test (cap 173)13 December 1946 v England
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class
Matches 1 40
Runs scored 28 1,284
Batting average 32.10
100s/50s 0/0 3/5
Top score 28* 132
Balls bowled 160 7,527
Wickets 3 104
Bowling average 24.66 27.75
5 wickets in innings 0 4
10 wickets in match 0 0
Best bowling 2/49 7/29
Catches/stumpings 0/– 25/–
Source: Cricinfo, 31 May 2022

Freer was a fast-medium bowler more accurate than Keith Miller. While playing for Victoria, Freer was called into the Australian team for the Second Test in Sydney against England in 1946 after Australia's then leading fast bowler Ray Lindwall was struck down by chickenpox.

In the first innings Freer bowled Cyril Washbrook for one and appealed for lbw against Len Hutton in the first ball of the second innings. It was turned down, but Freer had the wickets of Denis Compton (caught by Don Bradman) and Jack Ikin. When batting Australia wanted runs and Freer hit 3 fours and a 6 in his 28 not out, the only time he batted for Australia. Lindwall recovered in time for the next match, and Freer was dropped.

Freer also played Australian rules football for Victorian Football Association side Yarraville.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Atkinson, G. (1982) Everything you ever wanted to know about Australian rules football but couldn't be bothered asking, The Five Mile Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0 86788 009 0. p. 184.