Tommy Ward (cricketer)

Thomas "Tommy" Alfred Ward (2 August 1887 in Rawalpindi, India – 16 February 1936 in Transvaal) was a South African cricketer who played in 23 Tests from 1912 to 1924.

Ward's debut Test was on 27 May 1912, the opening Test of the 1912 Triangular Tournament between South Africa and Australia at Old Trafford. Ward found himself facing the hat-trick ball of Australian bowler Jimmy Matthews. Matthews had just got the wickets of Rolland Beaumont (31) and Sid Pegler (LBW for 0). Facing his first ball in Test cricket, Ward was hit on the pads and was given out LBW, earning himself a golden duck on debut and giving Matthews his hat-trick.^[1]

South Africa fell well short of the Australian's first innings total and were forced to follow on. In South Africa's second innings, Matthews again got two wickets in two balls, Herbie Taylor (21) and Reginald Schwarz, caught and bowled for 0. Ward for the second time in his debut match found himself walking to the crease to face Matthews on a hat-trick. Matthews got Ward out caught and bowled giving Ward his second golden duck (king pair) for the match and Matthews his second hat-trick. This has been the only time in Test cricket history where two hat-tricks have been taken in the one match.^[1]

Ward died in 1936 as a result of electrocution while working at a gold mine.^[1]

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