Percy McDonnell

Percy Stanislaus McDonnell (13 November 1858^[1][2] – 24 September 1896^[3]) was an Australian cricketer who captained the Australian Test team in six matches, including the tour of England in 1888.^[4]

Percy McDonnell

McDonnell pictured around 1895
Personal information
Full name	Percy Stanislaus McDonnell
Born	(1858-11-13)13 November 1858 Kensington, London, England
Died	24 September 1896(1896-09-24) (aged 37) South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Opening batsman
International information
National side	Australia
Test debut (cap 21)	6 September 1880 v England
Last Test	30 August 1888 v England
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1877/78–1884/85	Victoria
1885/86–1891/92	New South Wales
1894/95–1895/96	Queensland
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class Matches 19 166 Runs scored 950 6,470 Batting average 28.78 23.52 100s/50s 3/2 7/24 Top score 147 239 Balls bowled 52 400 Wickets 0 2 Bowling average – 123.50 5 wickets in innings – 0 10 wickets in match – 0 Best bowling – 1/7 Catches/stumpings 6/– 99/–
Source: CricketArchive, 29 February 2008

McDonnell was born in London in 1858, son of Morgan McDonnell and his wife Frances Marie, née Bonham. In 1864 the family migrated to Melbourne, where he was educated at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne and Xavier College.^[3] He played for the Melbourne Cricket Club First XI while still at Xavier, and made his first-class debut for Victoria at the age of 17.^[5]

McDonnell was an attacking batsman and his averages are among the very best of his era. His top Test score of 147^[6] was made in a partnership of 199 with Alick Bannerman at the Sydney Cricket Ground when the other 9 batsman in the team contributed 29 to the team score.^[7]

In 1886/87, McDonnell became the first Test captain ever to win the toss and elect to field. He had mixed results. England were dismissed for just 45, but nonetheless won the match.^[8]

McDonnell married Grace McDonald in Sydney in April 1891. They had two sons. He died of cardiac failure at his South Brisbane residence in September 1896, aged 37.^[3][9] His funeral proceeded from his home to the Toowong Cemetery.^[10][11]

Gallery

• 
  1888 Australian team in England, captained by Percy McDonnell
• 
  Percy McDonnell's Test career batting graph.
• 
  Percy McDonnell's grave.