OTD| Former Australian spinner Bert Ironmonger was born in 1882

In this article, we will discuss the On This Day | Former Australian spinner Bert Ironmonger was born in 1882. There are several records which are created in the history of the cricket which makes this game even more special. One such record holder was former Australian spinner Bert Ironmonger. At the age of 45 years and 237 days, Bert became the fourth oldest cricketer to make a debut in the Test match cricket. He made his debut against the England team at Brisbane in the year 1928-1929. He made14 appearances for the Australian cricket team. It was on this day in 1882 that Ironmonger was born in Pine Mountain, Queensland. 

Being a left-arm spin bowler with slow-medium pace, he delivered remarkable performances during his short Test career. Notably, in 1931-32, he secured an outstanding match analysis of 11 wickets for 24 runs on a challenging pitch in Melbourne, playing a significant role in dismissing South Africa for totals of 36 and 45. Across four matches in that Test series, Bert claimed 31 wickets at an impressive average of 9.67 runs each.

The left arm spinner also demonstrated remarkable skills against GC Grant’s West Indies team in 1930-31. Playing for Victoria against the tourists, he claimed five wickets for 87 runs in the first innings and eight for 31 runs in the second. Across four Test matches, he had secured 22 wickets at an average of 14.68 runs each, leading the Australian averages. In the final Test at Melbourne, he recorded figures of seven wickets for 23 runs and four for 56. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in helping Victoria win the Sheffield Shield that season, notably taking seven wickets for 135 runs against Queensland and five for 60 against South Australia.

Ironmonger was a star in Sheffield Shield

Although he didn’t enjoy as much success against England, he dismissed 21 batters in six encounters with Australia’s oldest cricket rivals, including four during DR Jardine’s Bodyline tour of 1932-33, averaging 33.90. Overall, his Test figures comprised 74 wickets at an average of 17.97. Ironmonger was also known as “Dainty.” 

Throughout his career he achieved a hat-trick once against AER Gilligan’s 1924-25 MCC team at Melbourne, ending the innings for Victoria by dismissing the last three batters with successive balls. In 42 Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria, he claimed 215 wickets at an average of 24.74. Additionally, he bowled with notable success for the Melbourne and St. Kilda clubs. His accomplishments were all the more impressive considering he had lost the forefinger of his left hand.