Eric Freeman (cricketer) facts for kids
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| Full name |
Eric Walter Freeman
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| Born | 13 July 1944 Semaphore, South Australia |
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| Died | 14 December 2020 (aged 76) Woodville South, South Australia |
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| Nickname | Fritzy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm fast-medium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | All-rounder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Test debut (cap 244) | 19 January 1968 v India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 19 February 1970 v South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1964/65–1973/74 | South Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 15 December 2020
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Eric Walter "Fritzy" Freeman (born 13 July 1944 – died 14 December 2020) was a famous Australian sportsman. He was a talented cricketer who played in 11 Test matches for Australia between 1968 and 1970. Fritzy was also a top Australian rules footballer. He played 116 games for the Port Adelaide Football Club from 1964 to 1972. He even helped them win a championship in 1965!
Contents
Early Life and Cricket Career
Eric Freeman was born in Semaphore, South Australia. He started playing cricket for the South Australia team in the 1964–65 season. He continued playing for them until 1973–74.
Touring with the Australian Team
Fritzy traveled with the Australian cricket team on several tours:
- To New Zealand in 1966–67.
- To England in 1968.
- To India and South Africa in 1969–70.
Memorable Moments in Cricket
Freeman achieved some impressive feats during his career:
- He scored his only "first-class century" (100 runs or more in a single innings) in 1968. He made 116 runs for the Australians against Northamptonshire in just 90 minutes. He hit five sixes and 13 fours in that innings!
- His best bowling performance was taking 8 wickets for only 47 runs. This happened when South Australia played against the New Zealand team in 1967–68. In that whole match, he took 11 wickets for 97 runs.
- He was the very first batsman in Test cricket history to score a six as his first ever runs in a Test match!
Life After Playing
After he stopped playing sports, Eric Freeman became a commentator. He also worked as a statistician for cricket and football games. He shared his knowledge on ABC Radio in Adelaide until he retired in 2010.
Special Recognition
In 2002, Eric Freeman received a special award called the Medal of the Order of Australia. This award was given to him for his great "service to sport." It recognized his contributions to cricket as a player, someone who helped manage the sport, and a commentator.
