Basil Rigg
Encyclopedia
Basil Augustus Rigg was an Australia
n cricketer who played for Western Australia
in the Sheffield Shield.
During the 1940s, Rigg also played Australian rules football
and was the leading goal-kicker for WANFL
club Perth
in 1943. The following year he enlisted in the Australian Army and served overseas. A rover, he had a stint at West Perth
before returning to Perth after the war. Towards the end of the decade he gave up football so he could concentrate on his promising cricket career. He however still remained active outside of cricket, by playing baseball and was a state representative in the Claxton Shield
.
An all-rounder
, Rigg was a member of the Western Australian Sheffield Shield winning in 1947/48. He played in two matches, including their win over Queensland which secured the Shield for the first ever time in the state's history. Rigg's contribution towards a successful campaign was limited, he could only manage 34 runs in four innings and failed to take a wicket. In all first-class matches that summer, he took just three wickets with his leg spin, despite bowling over 500 balls. His bowling was used less frequently in future seasons. Both of his first-class half centuries were also made in 1947/48 and both were against national teams. He scored 54 not out against India and also put in his best performance with the ball by dismissing two batsmen, including their best in Vijay Hazare
. Playing against an Australian XI soon after, Rigg made 65 in the first innings, after initially retiring hurt on five. He also took the wicket of opener Bill Brown but went for 65 runs from his six overs. It was often the case that he would return expensive bowling figures, with his career economy rate finishing above four runs an over. Nonetheless it had been perhaps his best match as he had made his half century against an attack featuring the likes of Keith Miller
and four other bowlers who would later form part of "The Invincibles".
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n cricketer who played for Western Australia
Western Warriors
The Western Australia cricket team are an Australian first class cricket team representing the state of Western Australia...
in the Sheffield Shield.
During the 1940s, Rigg also played Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
and was the leading goal-kicker for WANFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
club Perth
Perth Football Club
The Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The club plays its matches at Lathlain Park.-History:...
in 1943. The following year he enlisted in the Australian Army and served overseas. A rover, he had a stint at West Perth
West Perth Football Club
The West Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Falcons, is an Australian rules football club located in Joondalup, Western Australia, competing in the West Australian Football League . It is the oldest existing Australian rules football club in Western Australia. It competes in the West Australian...
before returning to Perth after the war. Towards the end of the decade he gave up football so he could concentrate on his promising cricket career. He however still remained active outside of cricket, by playing baseball and was a state representative in the Claxton Shield
Claxton Shield
The Claxton Shield was the name of the premier baseball competition in Australia held between state-based teams, as well as the name of the trophy awarded to the champion team...
.
An all-rounder
All-rounder
An all-rounder is a cricketer who regularly performs well at both batting and bowling. Although all bowlers must bat and quite a few batsmen do bowl occasionally, most players are skilled in only one of the two disciplines and are considered specialists...
, Rigg was a member of the Western Australian Sheffield Shield winning in 1947/48. He played in two matches, including their win over Queensland which secured the Shield for the first ever time in the state's history. Rigg's contribution towards a successful campaign was limited, he could only manage 34 runs in four innings and failed to take a wicket. In all first-class matches that summer, he took just three wickets with his leg spin, despite bowling over 500 balls. His bowling was used less frequently in future seasons. Both of his first-class half centuries were also made in 1947/48 and both were against national teams. He scored 54 not out against India and also put in his best performance with the ball by dismissing two batsmen, including their best in Vijay Hazare
Vijay Hazare
Vijay Samuel Hazare was an Indian cricket player from the state of Maharashtra. He captained the Indian cricket team in 14 matches between 1951 and 1953...
. Playing against an Australian XI soon after, Rigg made 65 in the first innings, after initially retiring hurt on five. He also took the wicket of opener Bill Brown but went for 65 runs from his six overs. It was often the case that he would return expensive bowling figures, with his career economy rate finishing above four runs an over. Nonetheless it had been perhaps his best match as he had made his half century against an attack featuring the likes of Keith Miller
Keith Miller
Keith Ross Miller MBE was an Australian Test cricketer and a Royal Australian Air Force pilot during World War II. Miller is widely regarded as Australia's greatest ever all-rounder. Because of his ability, irreverent manner and good looks he was a crowd favourite...
and four other bowlers who would later form part of "The Invincibles".