Albert Moss (cricketer)

Albert Moss
Cricket information
Batting style unknown
Bowling style Right-arm fast
International information
National side
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 4
Runs scored 13
Batting average 2.60
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 8
Balls bowled 1,024
Wickets 26
Bowling average 10.96
5 wickets in innings 2
10 wickets in match 1
Best bowling 10-28
Catches/stumpings 6/0

Albert Edward Moss (3 October 1863 – 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 in an 11-a-side match on his first-class debut.[1]

Albert Moss was born in Hugglescote, Coalville, in Leicestershire, where his family lived at 32 Station Street.[2] 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.[3] His first-innings achievement remains (as of 2007) the only instance of ten wickets in an innings in New Zealand.[4] Moss took great pride in his achievement, especially as the ball was mounted with a plaque and presented to him by his cricket club, Lancaster Park C.C.

He took thirteen wickets in his next three matches between January and March 1890, and shortly afterwards stood for the only time as an umpire. However, Moss was tried in the Supreme Court, Christchurch, in August 1891, for wounding his wife with intent to murder. He was found not guilty on the grounds of insanity and remanded to Lyttelton Prison, "till the pleasure of the Colonial Secretary is known". He was released in early 1896 on condition that he did not contact his wife again and was deported to Rio de Janeiro. Hoping to redeem himself, he went from South America 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 remarried him.

Moss died in South Africa at the age of 82, 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.

Notes

  1. ↑ Fitz Hinds took 10/36 on his first-class debut; however, this was in a 12-a-side game.
  2. ↑ M A Batty, p.7
  3. ↑ Canterbury v Wellington 1889-90
  4. ↑ "Nine or More Wickets in an Innings in First-Class Cricket". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2007-05-04.

References

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