Gavin Hamilton (cricketer)

Infobox Cricketer


nationality = Scottish
country = Scotland
country abbrev = SCO
name = Gavin Hamilton
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Left-handed batsman (LHB)
bowling style = Right-arm medium-fast (RMF)
balls = true
tests = 1
test runs = 0
test bat avg = 0.00
test 100s/50s = 0/0
test top score = 0
test overs = 90
test wickets = 0
test bowl avg = N/A
test 5s = 0
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = N/A
test catches/stumpings = 0/0
ODIs = 21
ODI runs = 605
ODI bat avg = 33.61
ODI 100s/50s = 0/5
ODI top score = 79
ODI overs = 220
ODI wickets = 3
ODI bowl avg = 53.33
ODI 5s = 0
ODI best bowling = 2/36
ODI catches/stumpings = 2/1
date = April 28
year = 2007
source = http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/14020.html

Gavin Mark Hamilton (born 16 September 1974 in Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland) is an all-round cricketer who played one Test for England and has appeared in a number of One Day Internationals for Scotland.

He began his senior career in 1993, taking 5-65 in the first innings of his first-class debut, Scotland's annual game against Ireland. He also played a few times that year for Yorkshire's Second XI, making his first-team debut for the county in 1994. He took a few years to become established in the side, but by 1998 was an important team member: that summer he took 59 first-class wickets at 20.54 as well as scoring six fifties, and claimed 34 one-day scalps at 18.94.

In 1999, Hamilton represented Scotland in the World Cup. His place in the squad was announced late, as there had been a possibility that England would select him for their own World Cup squad, but when this did not happen he was free to play for Scotland. He rose to the occasion well, scoring 217 runs in his five One Day Internationals and holding the innings together on several occasions.

In 1999/00 England toured South Africa and this time Hamilton was included, his World Cup performances for Scotland having impressed the selectors. He played in the first Test at Johannesburg but had a nightmare match as England slumped to an innings defeat: scoring a pair (caught by Pollock off Donald in both innings), taking 0-63 with the ball and not holding a single catch. He was dropped for the second Test and never played for England again.

Hamilton's appearance in England's cause had been brief indeed, but was also to prove costly to him personally, as it meant that he would have to re-qualify to play for Scotland, a process that would take four years. Meanwhile his domestic form, still good in 2000 as he scored his first century (against Hampshire) fell away to such an extent that in 2002 and 2003 combined he played a total of just six first-team games for Yorkshire.

Joining Durham for 2004, he gradually made his way back into the reckoning, with an unspectacular yet steady season. Having once again become available for Scotland in January, he was immediately recalled to the national team and in November of that year he played exclusively as a batsman in the ICC Intercontinental Cup final against Canada in Sharjah, making 115 as Scotland won by an innings. In 2005 Hamilton appeared a few times for Durham in the totesport League before being loaned to play for the Scottish Saltires in the same competition later in the year.

Gavin was released from his contract with Durham at the end of the 2005 season and continues to combine his work with Caledonian Breweries with playing for Scotland and the Scottish Saltires.

When not playing for Scotland at weekends, he plays in the Bradford Cricket League for East Bierley CC.

External links

*cricinfo|ref=scotland/content/player/14020.html