Don McRae (cricketer)

For the Australian cricketer, see Donald McRae (Australian cricketer).

Donald Alexander Noel McRae (25 December 1914 – 10 August 1986) was a double international sportsman, representing New Zealand in cricket and in soccer. His last first-class cricket match was in New Zealand's first Test match against Australia in 1946.

Don McRae

Personal information
Full name	Donald Alexander Noel McRae
Born	(1914-12-25)25 December 1914 Christchurch, New Zealand
Died	10 August 1986(1986-08-10) (aged 71) Christchurch, New Zealand
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Batting	Left-handed
Bowling	Left-arm medium
International information
National side	New Zealand (1946)
Test debut (cap 37)	29 March 1946 v Australia
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1937/38–1945/46	Canterbury
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 1 17 Runs scored 8 354 Batting average 4.00 15.39 100s/50s 0/0 0/0 Top score 8 43 Balls bowled 84 3,862 Wickets 0 56 Bowling average – 22.51 5 wickets in innings – 1 10 wickets in match – 0 Best bowling – 5/20 Catches/stumpings 0/– 11/–
Source: Cricinfo, 1 April 2017

Cricket career

McRae played first-class cricket for Canterbury from 1937–38 to 1945–46 as a tall, economical left-arm medium-pace bowler and useful lower-order batsman. In his first match, against Otago, he top-scored in the second innings with 43, which remained his highest first-class score.^[1] In 1943–44, playing for a New Zealand XI against a New Zealand Services XI, he opened the bowling and took 5 for 20 off 17 overs in the first innings. In his four inter-provincial matches in 1944-45 he took 17 wickets at 13.29, and was considered one of the best bowlers in New Zealand.^[2]

When the Plunket Shield resumed in 1945–46, McRae took 13 wickets in the three matches at 23.69. He took only one wicket when the Australians defeated Canterbury by an innings,^[3] but still made the Test side three weeks later. He opened the bowling and took 0 for 44 and made 0 and 8 in another innings defeat, and never played first-class cricket again.^[4]

Football career

McRae made a single appearance as goalkeeper for New Zealand in association football against Australia on 4 July 1936, conceding 7 goals in the 1–7 loss.^[5] His domestic club at the time was Nomads United.

Personal life

McRae served with the New Zealand Army in World War II as a lance-corporal.^[6] He and his wife Dorothy, who died in 1974, had one daughter.^[7] He died at his home in Christchurch in August 1986, aged 71.^[8]

See also

• One-Test wonder