Conn McCall

Hugh Conn McCall, usually known by his middle name (29 March 1940 in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland – 7 June 2002 in Bangor, County Down) was an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spin bowler,^[1] he played 15 times for the Ireland cricket team in the 1960s^[2] including seven first-class matches.^[3] His son Mark played rugby union for Ireland.^[4]

Cricket career

Conn McCall was scheduled to make his debut for Ireland in their annual match against Scotland in 1964, but the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled. He finally made his debut a few days later, playing against the MCC^[4] in a first-class match.^[3] His first match in 1965 was also against the MCC, at Lord's, and he also played against New Zealand, Scotland and Hampshire that year.^[2]

He played three times in 1966, against Scotland, the MCC and Worcestershire, and four times in 1967, including a match against India. His final year in the Irish side was in 1968, playing twice against Australia before finishing his career as it should have started, playing against Scotland^[2] in a first-class match.^[3] He later served as an Irish selector in the early 1980s and as president of the Irish Cricket Union in 1992.^[4]

Statistics

In all matches for Ireland, he scored 541 runs at an average of 20.04, with a top score of 81 against the MCC in his debut match, one of three half-century for Ireland. He bowled just one delivery,^[2] conceding the winning single against New Zealand in 1965.^[4]

References