A Summer of Cricket - The Cricket Captain Postman
In everyday life Harry Trott was a postman. Born in 1873, he was regarded as ‘the best all round player Victoria had sent to England.' Trott was a complete batsman and a useful slow leg spin bowler, taking 29 Test wickets and 386 in total in first class matches.
Trott went on to play 84 first class matches in Australia. He played 24 Tests, in seven series, touring England four times. He captained Australia, leading his country in 1896 in England, losing 2-1; and in Australia in 1896-7, winning 4-1. Contemporaries regarded him as one of the best captains Australia had ever had - genial, strong, and tactically astute and a great friend of team to mates and opponents.
He had a mental breakdown after the 1897-98 season and was confined to the asylum at Kew. A testimonial was held, which the MCC opened with 100 pounds. He made a miraculous recovery, and played a handful more games for Victoria in 1900-01.
Harry's brother, Albert (b.1866-1914) was also a cricketer, an all-rounder who averaged 102.5 for Australian in three Tests. He was the only man known to have hit a ball over the pavilion at Lords; a feat accomplished in 1899.
