Alan Walker (Australian sportsman) explained

First:RU
Alan Walker
Fullname:Alan Keith Walker
Birth Date:1925 10, df=y
Birth Place:Australia
Death Place:Australia
Year1start:1952
Appearances1:1
Tries1:0
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:0
Year2start:1953
Year2end:54
Appearances2:9
Tries2:2
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:6
Ru Yearastart:1947
Ru Yearaend:50
Ru Appearancesa:5
Ru Triesa:19
Ru Goalsa:0
Ru Fieldgoalsa:0
Ru Pointsa:76
Updated:30 Jul 2021
New:yes
Module:
Embed:yes
Country:Australia
Batting:Left-handed
Bowling:Left-arm fast-medium
Club1:New South Wales
Year1:1948/49
Club2:Nottinghamshire
Year2:1956

Alan Keith Walker (4 October 1925 – 19 June 2005) was an Australian sportsman. He played rugby union for his country, winning five caps, and scored 19 tries on the tour to Britain and France in 1947–48, including a memorable effort against England at Twickenham stadium. He also played two home Tests against the British & Irish Lions in 1950 before deciding to concentrate his attentions on cricket, which he played as a left-arm fast-medium bowler. In the 1952 NSWRFL season he played first-grade rugby league for Manly-Warringah[1] and Leigh RLFC (Heritage No. 632).

As a cricketer, Walker made his first-class debut for New South Wales at The Gabba in 1948/49 and played for the state until the 1952/53 season. He was selected for the 1949/50 tour of South Africa led by Lindsay Hassett, but was behind the likes of Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall in the pecking order and never played Test cricket. He later played county cricket in England for Nottinghamshire, taking 55 wickets in the 1956 season.

He performed the unusual feat of taking four wickets in four balls for Nottinghamshire against Leicestershire at Leicester in 1956. Uniquely, he took the last wicket of Leicestershire's first innings (Jack Firth), and then the first three wickets of the second innings with his first three balls (Gerry Lester, Maurice Tompkin and Gerald Smithson).

Walker died at the age of 79 in June 2005.

Notes and References

  1. News: Walker's sound debut in League . The Sun. 5 July 1952 . 1 June 2019 . 6 (Final Football Lastrace) . National Library of Australia.