On the 26 June 1972, on his Test cricket debut, the right-arm swing bowler Robert Arnold Lockyer Massie (born 1947), took 8 wickets for 84 runs in the first innings, and 8 for 53 in the second, on his Test cricket debut, for Australia against England at Lords. This was a world record for a Test debutant until beaten by India’s Narendra Hirwani, who took 16 wickets for just 1 run less.

Nicknamed ‘Ferg’, after the well known tractor brand Massey-Ferguson, he had a relatively short international career, and played in only six Tests and three One Day Internationals, from 1972 until his last Test against Pakistan in 1973.

Born in Subiaco, Australia, Massie began playing cricket at age 10 and made his debut for against South Australia Western Australia in 1965–1966 season. He made a duck in his first innings and conceded 81 runs without taking a wicket.

Massie also trialed for Northampton in English County cricket, but was not signed after two matches in the second XI.

Massie’s health failed him on the 1973 West Indies tour, and played only a further five first class matches before retiring.

A banker by profession, later he became a radio commentator.

26 June, 2019