Murray Bisset

Murray Bisset Biography

History would have remembered Sir Murray Bisset even if he had not played cricket. He fought in The Boer War (where he invariably formed a team, the Cricketers Corps). He was one of the most eminent lawyers of Cape Town in the first half of the 20th century, eventually becoming Chief Justice of Southern Rhodesia. He even served as interim Governor of Southern Rhodesia twice.

He was also elected to House of Assembly as a South African Party representative in 1914. He held the post till 1924. In 1928 he was knighted for services to the Commonwealth.

On the field Bisset was a stylish, wristy batsman. Never a big hitter, his innings were built on deft pushes and nudges for ones and twos. His First-Class career amounted to 1,436 runs at 23.54, though to be fair he often kept wickets.

He led South Africa when England came along in 1898-99. At 22 years 306 days he became the youngest captain, and held the record till Ian Craig came along in 1957-58. Of South Africans, only Graeme Smith has led at a younger age.

England prevailed in what turned out to be a low-scoring thriller. Set 132, South Africa looked set at 58 for 2 before they collapsed to 99. Bisset played a lone hand, remaining unbeaten on 21 to go with a first-innings effort of 35 as well as a catch and a stumping. His series tally of 72 runs made poor reading, but barring Jimmy Sinclair no South African else went past even 40.

Eleven years later he played another Test, also against England, helping South Africa avoid innings defeat — despite having played a solitary match that season.

In between, Bisset also led the South Africans to a goodwill tour of England in 1901 — one that did not feature a single Test; Bisset’s on-field leadership and off-field public relations won many a heart.

His family produced several illustrious sportspeople. Elder brother Bill and younger brother Arthur both played Rugby Union for South Africa; Edgar, another brother, played Rugby Union at club level. Archibald, Murray’s brother-in-law, and Archibald’s brother Ivor, both played First-Class cricket.

Sir Murray Bisset passed away at 55 during his second tenure as Acting Governor of Rhodesia.

Abhishek Mukherjee

Murray Bisset Batting & Fielding Averages

Career

Avg

100s

50s

Test

ODIs

T20s

World Cup

Murray Bisset Bowling Averages

Career	M	B	R	W	Avg	EC	SR	5WI	10WM	BBI	BBM
Test	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
ODIs	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
T20s	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
World Cup	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--		--