TROTT, GEORGE HENRY STEVENS (18661917)

was born at Collingwood, Melbourne, on 5 August 1866. He began his career in first-class cricket in the 1885-6 season when he represented Victoria against South Australia. He was soon in the front rank of Australian cricketers, and visited England on four occasions, in 1888, 1890, 1893 and 1896, on the last occasion captaining the team. He was an excellent bat whose merit could not be gauged by averages, as he often showed to most advantage when his team was in difficulties. In the test match at Lords in 1896 the Australians made a very poor score in the first innings, but in the second Trott made a great effort in scoring 143 and with S.E. Gregory put on 221 for the fourth wicket. He was a fine slow bowler with an especially good leg break and an almost perfect length. He was a good point and a first-rate captain, imperturbable and good-humoured no matter how the game might be going. In January 1898 after playing a good innings on a day of extreme heat at Melbourne, he had an attack of sunstroke, which combined with somewhat convivial habits arising out of his good fellowship, probably led to his mind becoming temporarily deranged. Though confined for a period he could still enjoy batting and bowling, but when his turn came to field he would stroll to the edge of the ground and join the spectators. He was sensible enough for that, or possibly he never lost his sense of humour. He recovered and subsequently played first-class cricket, but was never quite the same man again. He died after a long illness on 9 November 1917. He was a general favourite and as an Australian captain probably ranked next afterNoble(q.v.). In private life he belonged to the postal service.

His younger brother, Albert Edwin Trott (1873-1914), was also a great cricketer. He sprang into fame in the test match at Adelaide in 1895 when he scored 38 and 72 against Stoddart's team, both times not out, and in the last innings of the game took eight wickets for 43. For some unexplained reason he was left out of the 1896 Australian team, and going to London he qualified for Middlesex. In 1899 and 1900 he was probably the best all-round player in England, but he took little care of himself and his powers gradually declined. He played for Middlesex for the last time in 1910 and was afterwards an umpire. He had a long illness, and being without hope of recovery, shot himself on 30 July 1914. At his best he was a great bowler, a good bat and great hitter, the only man who had hit a ball over the pavilion at Lords, and near the wicket was one of the best fieldsmen of his time, with a sure pair of hands.