Albert Moss (cricketer)

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Albert E Moss (1853 - 11 December 1945) was a cricketer: a fast bowler who had a short first-class career of just four games, all in 1889-90, but who nevertheless holds a unique record: he is the only man to have taken all ten wickets in an innings on his first-class debut.

Born in Leicestershire, England, Moss moved to New Zealand after his father succumbed to tuberculosis, hoping to avoid sharing his fate. He made his debut for Canterbury against Wellington at Christchurch on 27 December 1889, and the following day took 10-28 in 21.3 six-ball overs as Wellington were dismissed for 71; he also claimed three wickets in the second innings as Canterbury won by 33 runs. Moss took such pride in his achievement that he had the ball mounted with a plaque.

He took thirteen wickets in his next three matches between January and March of 1890, but afterwards alcoholism led to the abrupt end of his cricketing career and the collapse of his marriage; his wife hung on to the ten-wicket ball when she left him. Hoping to redeem himself, he went first to South America and then to South Africa, working for the Salvation Army in Pretoria. By chance, his wife read an article about his work in the Salvation Army magazine, The War Cry, and, after returning the ball to him, herself went to South Africa and re-married him.

Moss died in South Africa at the age of 92, after which the ball was given to Lancaster Park, the home of the Canterbury club. It is now looked after by the Salvation Army, but an agreement has been made for it to be displayed at Lancaster Park on special occasions, such as the 125th anniversary of the Canterbury Cricket Association in 2002.