| Donald Steele | |
| Country: | Australia |
| Fullname: | Donald Macdonald Steele |
| Birth Date: | 17 August 1892 |
| Birth Place: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Death Place: | Adelaide |
| Batting: | Right-handed |
| Club1: | South Australia |
| Year1: | 1911-12 to 1920-21 |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | First-class |
| Matches1: | 19 |
| Runs1: | 1142 |
| Bat Avg1: | 35.68 |
| 100S/50S1: | 3/7 |
| Top Score1: | 113 |
| Deliveries1: | – |
| Wickets1: | – |
| Bowl Avg1: | – |
| Fivefor1: | – |
| Tenfor1: | – |
| Best Bowling1: | – |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | 11/0 |
| Date: | 24 April 2017 |
| Source: | http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/7829.html Cricinfo |
Donald Macdonald Steele (17 August 1892 – 13 July 1962) was a cricketer who played first-class cricket for South Australia from 1912 to 1921. He was later a prominent doctor in South Australia.
Don Steele was one of six brothers.[1] His elder brothers David Macdonald Steele[2] and Ken Steele[3] were doctors who served as medical officers in the field in World War I. Ken also played first-class cricket for South Australia before the war.[4]
Don attended Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, where he played in the First XI for six years from 1907 to 1912, captaining the team in the last three years.[5] He then studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, qualifying as a doctor at the end of 1919.[6]
Steele played his first game for South Australia in January 1912 while still at school. He became a regular player in the state team in 1912-13 and remained a fixture in the side until the end of the 1920-21 season, studies and professional duties permitting.
In his first match in the 1912-13 season he scored 113 not out in 175 minutes against New South Wales in an innings victory for South Australia.[7] He scored his second century in 1914-15 when he made 100 in 135 minutes, also against New South Wales.[8]
He captained South Australia in the last three matches of the 1920-21 Sheffield Shield season, scoring 107 not out in the first match, against Victoria.[9] He finished the season at the top of the South Australian batting averages, with 280 runs at 56.00.[10]
He was selected to captain the Australian team to tour New Zealand at the end of the season.[11] However, he was unable to go on the tour, having made arrangements to work as a locum in Port Lincoln.[12] His professional duties prevented him from playing any further first-class cricket.
He practised as a doctor in Port Lincoln for some years[13] [1] before returning to practise in Adelaide, where he and his wife lived in Glenelg.[14]
While watching a Test match at Adelaide Oval in 1925 he was called on to treat the English spin bowler Tich Freeman, who had broken his wrist while attempting a catch. Steele put the wrist in splints then took Freeman to hospital.[15]
His son Ian was also a doctor.[14]