Frank Pitcher

Infobox cricketer biography
playername = Frank Pitcher
country = Australia
fullname = Franklyn Joseph Pitcher
dayofbirth = 24
monthofbirth = 06
yearofbirth = 1879
placeofbirth = Collingwood, Victoria
countryofbirth = Australia
dayofdeath = 23
monthofdeath = 01
yearofdeath = 1921
placeofdeath = Northcote, Victoria
countryofdeath = Australia
batting = Right-hand
bowling = Right-arm medium
role = Bowler
club1 = Victoria
year1 = 1911
clubnumber1 =

deliveries = balls
columns = 1
column1 = Domestic career
matches1 = 1
runs1 = 18
bat avg1 = 9.00
100s/50s1 = 0/0
top score1 = 18
deliveries1 = 12
wickets1 = 0
bowl avg1 = –
fivefor1 = 0
tenfor1 = 0
best bowling1 = 0/11
catches/stumpings1 = 0/0
date = 20 December
year = 2007
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/7214.html cricinfo.com

Franklyn "Frank" Joseph Pitcher (June 24, 1879 – January 23, 1921) was a former Australian first-class cricket player who represented Victoria in one match in 1910–11 against the touring South Africans. Pitcher was a right-arm medium pace bowler. During the match Pitcher became the first player to be no-balled by both umpires in a match at first-class level of cricket in Australia. Pitcher was also the first and only player to be no-balled for throwing in his debut match at first-class level.

Pitcher made his first-class debut for Victoria against South Africa on a match starting on February 3, 1911. John Zulch and Louis Stricker were opening the batting for the tourists and Pitcher was no-balled by umpire Bob Crockett for throwing his first three deliveries, with Zulch taking strike. Pitcher appeared to be shaken by the incident and he also delivered a wide and another no-ball. At the end of this first over, he was replaced by his captain Warwick Armstrong.

The following day, Pitcher was no-balled for a fifth time by umpire W. A. Young in his second over. Pitcher was passed on the first five deliveries of the over but the sixth was called by Young as a no-ball. A correspondent for the "Melbourne Age" described the sixth delivery as "an undeniable throw". Pitcher attempted to change his action, but this disrupted his length and he was twice struck for four by South African captain Dave Nourse. After the over, Pitcher was taken from the attack by Armstrong.

Pitcher was never selected at first-class level again and it was the first occasion in Australia when a bowler was called by both officiating umpires. The matter did not end after the match, as Pitcher's district club, Collingwood, pursued an inquiry with the Victorian Cricket Association although an executive committee of the VCA found that the complaints of the club were spurious. Pitcher was not called as district level before his only state appearance and he continued until the 1913–14 season without further complaints. Pitcher also played baseball for Collingwood.

See also

*List of cricketers called for throwing in major cricket matches in Australia

References

*cite book| first=Bernard |last=Whimpress |title=Chuckers: A history of throwing in Australian cricket| year=2004 |publisher=Elvis Press |location=Adelaide |page=49| isbn=0-9756746-1-7