Harold Hale (27 March 1867 – 2 August 1947) was an Australian cricketer.

Harold Hale
The Tasmanian cricket team that beat Victoria at the MCG in 1902–03. Harold Hale is standing fourth from left.
Personal information
Born(1867-03-27)27 March 1867
Perth, Colony of Western Australia
Died2 August 1947(1947-08-02) (aged 80)
Melbourne, Victoria
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm off-spin
Right-arm medium
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1883/84–1910/11Tasmania
1886–1887Gloucestershire
1887–1890Cambridge University
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 57
Runs scored 1,067
Batting average 12.12
100s/50s 0/1
Top score 53
Balls bowled 4,983
Wickets 99
Bowling average 23.18
5 wickets in innings 6
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 7/42
Catches/stumpings 24/–
Source: Cricinfo, 22 April 2020

Hale was born in Perth in the Colony of Western Australia, the son of Matthew Hale, then Bishop of Perth and later Bishop of Brisbane. He went to school at The Hutchins School in Hobart.[1] He toured New Zealand with the Tasmanian cricket team when he was 16, opening the bowling with Tom Kendall in the four first-class matches on the tour, taking 21 wickets at a bowling average of 9.47 runs per wicket.[2]

His father retired to England in 1885, and Hale attended Trinity College, Cambridge between 1886 and 1889. He played cricket for the University in 1887, 1889 and 1890, receiving his cricket blue.[3] He also played for Gloucestershire. He graduated with a degree in Theology and tutored in England for about 10 years before returning to Tasmania.[1] He again played for the state team, finishing his first-class career in 1911.[4] He conducted a small private school in New Norfolk and later farmed in the area.[1]

Hale married Georgina Officer in Melbourne in December 1901,[5] and they had three sons and two daughters. He died in 1947 in a Melbourne hospital aged 80; his wife predeceased him.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Outstanding State Cricketer Dies". Mercury: 8. 6 August 1947.
  2. ^ "First-class Bowling in Each Season by Harold Hale". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Hale, Harold (HL886H)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  4. ^ "Harold Hale". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Marriages". The Mercury: 5. 18 January 1902.