Malcolm Francke

Malcolm Francke
Cricket information
Batting style Right-handed batsman
Bowling style Legbreak googly
Career statistics
Competition First-class List A
Matches 61 12
Runs scored 696 50
Batting average 10.54 12.50
100s/50s 0/0 0/0
Top score 37* 26
Balls bowled 12090 636
Wickets 178 17
Bowling average 31.02 22.47
5 wickets in innings 8 -
10 wickets in match 1 N/A
Best bowling 6-62 4-23
Catches/stumpings 31/0 4/-
Source: CricketArchive

Fredrick Malcolm Francke (21 March 1939 in Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka) is a former Australian first-class cricketer who played for Queensland.

A leg spinner, Francke played for Ceylon in 1957/58, and worked and played cricket in England for several years prior to migrating to Australia. He reports having had offers to play first-class county cricket in England but chose not to because it would have been a full-time commitment requiring him to suspend his career as an accountant. He represented Queensland from 1971/72 to 1985/86, making his debut against a touring World XI side.[1] Francke dismissed Clive Lloyd twice and also took the wickets of captain Rohan Kanhai and Sunil Gavaskar. He went on to take a total of 167 career first class wickets for Queensland with an innings best of 6 for 62 against South Australia in 1974.

He appeared to have played his last game in 1980 but made a return 6 years later to play in the 1985/86 Sheffield Shield season.[2][3]

In 1975 he was part of a rebel tour of South Africa, playing for the Brian Close led DH Robins XI.

Leading Australian spinner Ashley Mallett considered Francke to be the best legspinner in Australia during his time and was disappointed Francke never played Test cricket.[4] He had been mentioned in particular as a test chance in 1972/73[5] and 1973/74[6] and 74/75.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Six team changes by Queensland.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 17 November 1971. p. 32. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Qld reels against Sth Australia.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 23 December 1985. p. 36. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Kiwi top-order puts India on the slide.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 24 January 1986. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Mallett, p. 158.
  5. ↑ "WEST INDIES TOUR Test hopes have days left.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 15 December 1972. p. 22. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Queensland hopes rest on Chappell.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 6 February 1974. p. 28. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Test selectors prefer experienced players.". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) (ACT: National Library of Australia). 25 November 1974. p. 16. Retrieved 15 December 2014.

Sources

External links