Australia Cricket Team Play Baseball

Towards the end of their tour of South Africa in 1936 the Australian cricket team agreed to play a baseball match against the Transvaal baseball team to raise money for the Jock Cameron memorial fund at the Wanderers ground in Johannesburg, 7th March 1936. Horace Brakenridge Jock Cameron, a belligerent batsman, and one of the finest wicket-keepers South Africa has produced, had passed away of enteric fever three weeks before Australia landed in South Africa. He was only 30, was immensely popular, and his untimely death was mourned by many. The baseball match replaced the cricket fixture that was originally scheduled on the Australians itinerary. They had already played cricket against Transvaal twice on the tour winning both matches, with Grimmett taking nine wickets in the first match and OReilly ten in the second. Meanwhile Baseball was increasingly popular in South Africa at this time with a number of clubs, and a considerable following. The Australian team for this unusual fixture read: Vic Richardson (captain), catcher; Leo OBrien, pitcher; Ernie McCormick, first base; Jack Fingleton, short stop; Ben Barnett, second base; Len Darling, third base; Clarrie Grimmett, right field; Stan McCabe, centre field; Bill Brown, left field. Reserves: Bill OReilly and Bert Oldfield. The South African media were excited by the prospect of this unique match. On the morning of the match, a big headline ran: Transvaals Chance to Atone for Cricketing Defeats. The article continued: All sporting South Africa will follow the baseball game at the Wanderers this afternoon with the keenest interest. In fact a 30,000-strong crowd greeted the Australians at Old Wanderers as they ran through the gate. However the Australians eventually proved too strong for Transvaal team, winning the game by 12 to 5. (Photo by Bob Thomas/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)