What an unfortunate Test debut!

Jack MacBryan must go down in Test history as one of the most unfortunate cricketers ever to play Test cricket. He was selected by England to play the fourth Test against South Africa at Old Trafford in July 1924, however only 66.5 overs were possible in the rain-affected game.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. When the match was abandoned, South Africa were 116 for four in their first innings. MacBryan ended his Test debut without getting a chance to bat or bowl. He did not even have the satisfaction of taking a catch.

He lost an opportunity to tour Australia when JW Hearne was declared medically fit. He topped the Somerset averages for five seasons out of six between 1921 and 1926. At the time of his death on July 14, 1983, he was England’s oldest living Test player aged 90 years 357 days.