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
Died24 September 1896(1896-09-24) (aged 37)
South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
BattingRight-handed
RoleOpening batsman
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 21)6 September 1880 v England
Last Test30 August 1888 v England
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1877/78–1884/85Victoria
1885/86–1891/92New South Wales
1894/95–1895/96Queensland
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 SCG 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 died of cardiac failure[3] at his South Brisbane residence[9] aged 37 and his funeral proceeded from there to the Toowong Cemetery.[10][11]

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References

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  1. ^ Percy McDonnell, — CricketArchive
  2. ^ Percy McDonnell, — FindMyPast
  3. ^ a b c McDonnell, Percy Stanislaus (1860–1896), — Australian Dictionary of Biography
  4. ^ Australian Captain’s Playing Record By Series In Test Matches Archived 26 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine, — CricketArchive
  5. ^ Ray Robinson, On Top Down Under, Cassell Australia, Stanmore, 1976, pp. 49–54.
  6. ^ Profile of Percy McDonnell, — Cricinfo
  7. ^ 1st TEST: Australia v England, Report, — Cricinfo
  8. ^ Report – 1st Test 1886–87, — Cricinfo
  9. ^ "Family Notices". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LIII, no. 12, 075. Queensland, Australia. 25 September 1896. p. 4. Retrieved 7 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Family Notices". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LIII, no. 12, 075. Queensland, Australia. 25 September 1896. p. 1. Retrieved 7 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ McDonnell Percy Stanislaus Archived 1 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search
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