Gregor MacGregor (sportsman) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gregor MacGregor

Personal information
Born	(1869-08-31)31 August 1869 Merchiston, Edinburgh, Scotland
Died	20 August 1919(1919-08-20) (aged 49) Marylebone, London, England
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Wicketkeeper
International information
National side	England
Test debut	21 July 1890 v Australia
Last Test	26 August 1893 v Australia
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 8 265 Runs scored 96 6,381 Batting average 12.00 18.02 100s/50s 0/0 3/20 Top score 31 141 Catches/stumpings 14/3 411/148
Source: Cricinfo, 30 December 2021
Rugby career
Rugby union career
Position(s) Three Quarters Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) - Cambridge University London Scottish Barbarians () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1891 1893 West of Scotland District Middlesex () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1890-96 Scotland 13 (5)

Gregor MacGregor (born August 31, 1869 – died August 20, 1919) was an amazing Scottish athlete. He played both cricket and rugby union at the highest level. He represented Scotland in cricket and rugby, and even played for the England cricket team!

Early Life and Education

Gregor MacGregor was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1869. His father was Donald MacGregor. He went to Uppingham for his schooling. Later, in 1887, he went to Jesus College, Cambridge University. After finishing university, he worked on the London Stock Exchange.

Cricket Career

Playing for Clubs

Gregor MacGregor played in 265 first-class matches. These games took place between 1888 and 1907. He first played for Cambridge University in 1888. He was a very good player and earned "Blues" in all four years at Cambridge. A "Blue" is a special award for top athletes at Cambridge. He played for many teams, including Middlesex. He was a wicket keeper and also captained Middlesex from 1898 to 1907. He was a modest person about his batting skills. But he was a very tough batsman to get out! Later in his life, he became the treasurer for the club. He passed away in 1919 at age 49.

International Cricket Matches

Gregor MacGregor played for Scotland against Australia. He also played in eight Test matches for the England team. Cambridge University remembers him with the Hone-MacGregor Trophy. This is a special cricket tournament. It is played between Cambridge University, Irish Universities, and Scottish Universities.

Rugby Union Career

MacGregor, middle row, seated far left with the Jesus College XV in 1889

Playing for Clubs and Regions

MacGregor played club rugby for Cambridge University. In 1889 and 1890, he played as a full back for Cambridge University against Oxford. He was known for his great tackling and accurate kicks. He also played for London Scottish. He played for the West of Scotland District team in 1891. In 1893, he was chosen to play for Middlesex. This was for the English County Championship. Five Scottish players from London Scottish were on the Middlesex team that year.

International Rugby Matches

Gregor MacGregor played for the Scotland team from 1890 to 1896. He played in all three international matches of the 1890 Home Nations Championship. In 1890, he was invited to join the Barbarians team. This was a new touring team, and he became one of its first members. He also played in the Home Nations Championship in 1891 and 1893. He missed the 1892 tournament because he was in Australia playing cricket. In 1894, he played against England and Wales. His last international game for Scotland was against England in 1896. He started his career as a full back. But he mostly played as a centre three-quarter in his later international games.

Writing About Rugby

Gregor MacGregor also wrote about rugby. He wrote a chapter called "Full Back Play." It was part of a book named Rugby Football by Bertram Fletcher Robinson. This book was first published in 1896 and was reprinted in 2010.

Legacy

A painting shows Andrew Stoddart batting and MacGregor keeping wicket. This painting was given to the MCC in 1927. The artist of the painting was Henry Weigall Jr. This famous picture often hangs in the Pavilion at Lord's cricket ground.

See also

• List of Scottish cricket and rugby union players
• List of Test cricketers born in non-Test playing nations