George Bonnor facts for kids
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 25 February 1855 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 27 June 1912 (aged 57) Orange, New South Wales, Australia |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm medium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Test debut (cap 19) | 6 September 1880 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 30 August 1888 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Source: Cricinfo, 12 October 2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
George John Bonnor (born 25 February 1855 – died 27 June 1912) was a famous Australian cricketer. He was known for hitting the ball very hard and far. George played Test cricket for Australia between 1880 and 1888.
Contents
George Bonnor: A Cricket Legend
George Bonnor was born in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. He was very tall for his time, standing at 6 feet 6 inches. This great height gave him amazing strength. He used this strength to hit the cricket ball with incredible power.
Early Cricket Days
George made his first international appearance in 1880. This was during a match played in England. While he was known for powerful hits, his risky playing style sometimes led to lower scores. He was always exciting to watch.
Incredible Strength and Big Hits
George Bonnor's strength was legendary. Many stories show how powerful he was.
During a Test match in 1880 at The Oval in England, George hit a ball very high. It went so high that by the time it came down, he and his batting partner had almost run three times between the wickets. The fielder, GF Grace, had to wait a long time for the ball to drop. He caught it right on the boundary line.
In 1882, George made a bet with a fellow passenger on a ship. He bet £100 that he could throw a cricket ball 100 yards. He won the bet easily! He threw the ball 119 yards and seven inches without even taking a running start. Another famous cricketer, WG Grace, said George once threw a ball 130 yards. Some legends even say Grace threw further in their own throwing contest.
George also made some incredibly long hits during practice. In Melbourne, he hit balls 160 and 149 yards. At Mitcham Common in England in 1880, he hit one 147 yards. These hits were carefully measured by famous bowler James Southerton. In a real game in 1880, George hit a ball 160 yards. This happened when the Australians played a local team in Longsight.
A Unique Cricket Moment
In 1884, George Bonnor made history in Test cricket. He became the very first player ever to be dismissed by being hit wicket. This means he accidentally knocked his own wickets down with his bat or body while trying to hit the ball.
Later Life
George Bonnor passed away from a heart attack at the age of 57. He died in Orange, New South Wales, Australia, on 27 June 1912. He is buried in the cemetery there.
