Alan Walker (Australian sportsman)

File:Alan Walker bowl.jpg

Alan Walker bowling

Alan Keith Walker (4 October 1925 – 19 June 2005) was an Australian sportsman. He played rugby union for his country, winning five caps, and scored 19 tries on the tour to Britain and France in 1947-48, including a memorable effort against England at Twickenham. He also played two home Tests against the Lions in 1950 before deciding to concentrate his attentions on cricket, which he played as a left-arm fast-medium bowler.

As a cricketer, Walker made his first-class debut for New South Wales at The Gabba in 1948/49 and played for the state until the 1952/53 season. He was selected for the 1949/50 tour of South Africa led by Lindsay Hassett, but was behind the likes of Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall in the pecking order and never played Test cricket. He later played county cricket in England for Nottinghamshire, taking 55 wickets in the 1956 season.

He performed the unusual feat of taking four wickets in four balls for Nottinghamshire against Leicestershire at Leicester in 1956. Uniquely, he took the last wicket of Leicestershire's first innings (Jack Firth), and then the first three wickets of the second innings with his first three balls (Gerry Lester, Maurice Tompkin and Gerald Smithson).

Walker died at the age of 79 in June 2005.

External links

• Crcinfo article on Alan Walker