Gil Langley facts for kids

Gilbert Roche Andrews Langley AM (born September 14, 1919 – died May 14, 2001) was an amazing Australian! He was a top cricketer, a champion Aussie Rules footballer, and even a politician. He served as the Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly (like a leader in the state government) from 1977 to 1979.

Gil was born in North Adelaide, South Australia. He went to public schools and later became an electrician through an apprenticeship. From a young age, he was known as a great all-round sportsman. He was coached in both cricket and Aussie Rules by Vic Richardson, who was also a famous Test cricketer and footballer.

Australian Rules Footballer

Gil Langley started playing for the Sturt team in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in 1939. He played as a "rover," which is a type of player in Aussie Rules. He played 163 games and kicked 341 goals.

He was the captain of Sturt in 1945 and 1947. He also won the club's "Best and Fairest" award in both 1945 and 1946. Gil also played 11 games for the South Australia state team, even being their captain for a while. During World War II, he worked in Melbourne and played four games for the Essendon Football Club in the VFL. This included playing in the big 1943 VFL Grand Final. He stopped playing football at the end of the 1950 season.

Cricketer

Gil Langley first played first-class cricket for South Australia on December 14, 1945. He started as a specialist batsman. In December 1947, he began playing as a wicket-keeper. He quickly became known for his excellent work behind the stumps.

He was chosen to tour South Africa with the Australian team in 1949–50, but he didn't play in a Test match then. Gil finally made his Test debut at the Gabba in 1951/52 against the West Indies. He filled in for the injured Don Tallon. In that match, he took three catches and made four stumpings. After Tallon retired in 1953, Gil became Australia's main wicket-keeper until he retired in 1956.

Langley's Wicket-keeping Skills

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, a famous cricket publication, praised Gil's skills. They called him "the safest wicketkeeper in the game." In 1957, they named him one of their five "Cricketers of the Year."

In 1956, Gil toured England with the Australian team. He was one of the few bright spots for Australia during that tour. In a Test match at Lord's, he made nine dismissals (catches or stumpings). This was a Test record for wicket-keepers until 1980. It remained an Australian record until 2000.

Gil played his last Test match against India in November 1956. He retired from first-class cricket a month later. His last game was for South Australia against New South Wales, where he scored a century (100 runs) at the Adelaide Oval. After retiring from cricket, Gil worked as a sports journalist.

Rare Sporting Achievement

Gil Langley achieved something very special, which only one other person, Victor Richardson, has done. He was captain of the Sturt club in both cricket and Australian Rules football.

Politician

Gil Langley became a politician in 1962. He joined the Labor Party and was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly for the area of Electoral district of Unley. He became very popular with people in his area because he would help them with electrical tasks, like fixing toasters, during his visits.

In 1965, Gil became part of the first Labor government in South Australia in 32 years. Later, he served as the Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1977 to 1979. He retired from politics in 1982.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1984, Gil Langley was given a special award, becoming a member of the Order of Australia. In 2001, he was added to the Sturt Football Club Hall of Fame. To honor his contributions to cricket, the Gil Langley Function Room at the Adelaide Oval was named after him.

In his retirement, he enjoyed playing lawn bowls. Gil passed away after a long illness in 2001. He was survived by his two sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren.

Gil's nephew, Jeff Langley, also played cricket for South Australia and Queensland between 1969 and 1980.

See also

• List of Australian Test wicket-keepers