| Frank Williams | |
| Birth Date: | 1876 |
| Birth Place: | Bath, Somerset, England |
| Death Date: | 17 July |
| Death Place: | Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand |
| Role: | Wicket-keeper |
| Club1: | Otago |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | First-class |
| Matches1: | 26 |
| Runs1: | 297 |
| Bat Avg1: | 8.25 |
| 100S/50S1: | 0/0 |
| Top Score1: | 39 |
| Hidedeliveries: | true |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | 32/16 |
| Date: | 21 August |
| Year: | 2019 |
| Source: | http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/38852.html CricInfo |
Frank Williams (1876 - 17 July 1946) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played 26 first-class matches as a wicket-keeper for Otago between the 1898–99 and 1908–09 seasons.[1]
Williams was born at Bath in England in 1876.[2] He played for the Albion club in Dunedin, where he served on the committee, and first represented Otago in a match against Southland during the 1895–96 season.[3] [4] He made his first-class debut for the provincial side against Canterbury in December 1898 and went on to play 26 times in first-class matches for Otago.[5]
Considered a "crack" wicket-keeper, Williams effected 48 first-class dismissals and was selected to keep wickets for the South Island against the North Island in 1901–02.[6] [7] Not considered much of a "recognised batsman", he scored a total of 295 first-class runs with a highest score of 39 runs, although in club cricket he batted in a "vigorous manner", this likely leading to his nickname of "Bash".[4] He was Otago's first-choice wicket-keeper for 11 seasons, playing his final first-class match in February 1909.[4] [5]
After his playing career was over, Williams stood as an umpire, including in first-class matches.[5] [7] He served on the committee of the Otago Cricket Association, was a selector for Otago teams, and was one of the selectors who chose the New Zealand teams that toured England in 1927 and 1931.[4] [7]
In later life Williams took up lawn bowls and was a member of the St Kilda club in Dunedin.[4] Professionally he worked as a tailor and operated a shop in Dunedin until his retirement.[4] [7] He died at Dunedin in 1946 leaving two sons and a daughter.[4]