Twenty-two men featured in the first ever Test match, which began on this day, 1877.
Of them, one – Bransby Cooper – was celebrating his birthday. He was born in 1844.
But the calendar date was not the only unusual aspect of Cooper's birth.
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Of them, one – Bransby Cooper – was celebrating his birthday. He was born in 1844.
But the calendar date was not the only unusual aspect of Cooper's birth.
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He was the first Test cricketer to be born in the Indian subcontinent.
Bransby Cooper was born in Dacca (now Dhaka). His father was an officer in the East India Company.
Cooper Sr died in 1857, a very significant year in Indian history.
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Bransby Cooper was born in Dacca (now Dhaka). His father was an officer in the East India Company.
Cooper Sr died in 1857, a very significant year in Indian history.
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The son came to England that year, moved to the USA in 1869, and eventually to Australia in 1871.
Not many people spend significant parts of their lives in four different continents.
He was one of two choices for Australian captain for the first ever Test match.
Quoting ACS:
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Not many people spend significant parts of their lives in four different continents.
He was one of two choices for Australian captain for the first ever Test match.
Quoting ACS:
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"It was widely supposed that Cooper would be captain but the final preference was, probably for political reasons, the Australian-born New South Welshman David Gregory."
Cooper scored 15 and 3 and was dropped from the other Test match of the tour.
ACS:
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Cooper scored 15 and 3 and was dropped from the other Test match of the tour.
ACS:
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"Cooper's non-selection for the Second Test match ... was probably likewise political."
Cooper did not play another Test match.
He scored 1,600 runs in First-class cricket at 20.51.
During his career, his path crossed that of WG Grace's on more than one occasion.
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Cooper did not play another Test match.
He scored 1,600 runs in First-class cricket at 20.51.
During his career, his path crossed that of WG Grace's on more than one occasion.
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In 1865, he opened batting and kept wickets for Gentlemen of the South against Players of the South. Batting at No. 3 was Grace, the debutant teenage wonder (visualise that!).
Four years later he scored 101, his only First-Class hundred, in the same fixture.
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Four years later he scored 101, his only First-Class hundred, in the same fixture.
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He added 283 in 220 minutes for the first wicket with Grace.
This remained a world record for the first wicket until 1892.
And When Grace led an English side to Australia, he played six matches against them, for four different sides.
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This remained a world record for the first wicket until 1892.
And When Grace led an English side to Australia, he played six matches against them, for four different sides.
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And while WG Grace will win any Best Beards contest among all Test cricketers, Cooper is very likely to feature in the top ten.
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