George Giffen

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George Giffen Australia (AUS)
Batting style	Right-hand bat
Bowling type	Right-arm medium
	Tests	First-class
Matches	31	251
Runs scored	1238	11758
Batting average	23.35	29.54
100s/50s	1/6	18/53
Top score	161	271
Balls bowled	6391	46916
Wickets	103	1022
Bowling average	27.09	21.31
5 wickets in innings	7	95
10 wickets in match	1	30
Best bowling	7/117	10/66
Catches/stumpings	24/0	194/0
Test debut: 31 December 1881 Last Test: 10 August 1896 Source: [1]

George Giffen (born March 27, 1859 in Norwood, Adelaide, South Australia - died November 29, 1927 in Parkside, Adelaide, South Australia) was an Australian cricketer.

George Giffen is considered by many the world’s first world class all rounder. A robust batsman noted for his driving he also had a fine cut and glance. A slow to medium pace bowler he was brilliant with his deceptive off spin and the master in flight and changes of pace which he took many wickets. He played his first Test in 1881 when only 22 years old. He appeared in 31 in all, a huge amount for his era. In all he scored 1238 runs and took 103 wickets.

His first class performances include many achievements. Nine times he scored a century and took 10 wickets in the one match. Twice he scored a century and took more than a dozen wickets. No other cricketer in the world has ever done it. He is the only bowler in the world to snare 16 wickets in a match five times. He was the first to take 17. When he was 24 he became the first bowler outside England to get a whole side out with 10-66. He is also the first Australian to take 1000 first class wickets and score 10 000 runs

Giffens best was 271 runs and 16 wickets for the match for South Australia vs Victoria in 1891 in all he scored 18 first class centuries 4 of them doubles.

Giffen also performed well in English conditions. On each of his five tours he topped both the batting and bowling overall tour averages, yet another unique Giffen feat. The great all rounder led Australia in four of the five Tests during 1894 tour. His 34 Test wickets was a series record at that time and he also scored the most runs for that series. Giffen played his last Test in 1896 but remained a force at the first class level for some time, at the age of 41 he captured 13 English wickets to steer South Australia to a victory over the tourists. Three years later he finished his career with scores of 81, 97 not out and 15 wickets against Victoria.

George though has often been accused of more than a sprinkling of nepotism, using his influence to try and help his brother Walter Giffen. Walter played Test cricket for Australia despite below average performances for South Australia and when George was named Captain of the 1894 tour Walter having made 11 runs in his three Tests to date and a poor domestic season was also named, many believing because of George’s influence over the selection.

George Giffen has a grandstand at the Adelaide Oval named after him.

Preceded by Percy McDonnell

Australian Test cricket captains 1894/95

Succeeded by Harry Trott

[edit] External links

• Cricinfo Article on George Giffen

Persondata
NAME	Giffen, George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Cricketer
DATE OF BIRTH	March 27, 1859
PLACE OF BIRTH	Norwood, South Australia
DATE OF DEATH	November 29, 1927
PLACE OF DEATH	Parkside, South Australia