Charles Turner, Australian cricketer (b. 1862)

Charles Thomas Biass Turner (16 November 1862 – 1 January 1944), often known by his formidable nickname "The Terror," stands as one of Australia's most exceptional and pioneering cricketers, renowned primarily for his devastating right-arm medium-fast bowling. His remarkable career, particularly in the late 19th century, was marked by an unparalleled ability to exploit challenging pitch conditions and consistently deliver match-winning performances.

Notable Achievements and Records

Turner's career was replete with extraordinary accomplishments that cemented his legacy as a bowling titan. Among his most significant feats were:

Early Life and Career Breakthrough

Born in Bathurst, New South Wales, Turner's initial foray into first-class cricket did not immediately hint at the extraordinary career that would follow. His early performances were somewhat modest. However, a pivotal shift occurred in 1886–87 when he relocated from Bathurst to Sydney to pursue a career in banking. This move coincided with a dramatic improvement in his cricketing prowess. During that season, he captured an astounding 70 first-class wickets at an exceptional average of just 7.68 runs each from only seven matches.

His emerging talent was particularly evident in matches against Victoria, where he claimed 18 wickets for 184 runs. Nevertheless, it was his dominant performances against Alfred Shaw's touring English side in the 1886–87 Test series that truly brought him international acclaim. In his Test debut, a match where England was put in to bat on a notoriously "sticky" pitch (a term for a pitch made treacherous by rain and then drying out), Turner exploited the conditions to perfection, securing an impressive 6 wickets for just 15 runs. In the second Test of the series, his combined match figures were an outstanding 9 wickets for 93 runs, firmly establishing him as a formidable force in international cricket.

The Dominant Years: La Niña's Influence and English Prolificacy

The subsequent Australian season of 1887–88 proved to be another period of immense success for Turner. Australian pitches were already infamous for becoming incredibly difficult to bat on after rainfall, primarily because they were typically uncovered, allowing the elements to heavily influence play. During this specific period, a La Niña climate phenomenon led to unusually wet weather, creating conditions perfectly suited to Turner's unique bowling style.

His exceptional performances outside of the Test arena included:

The English summer of 1888 saw Turner form a formidable and highly prolific bowling partnership with fellow Australian John Ferris, often referred to as "the demon bowlers." Their combined threat was immense. In Australia's sole victory in the three-Test series at Lord's, Turner was the architect, taking an incredible 10 wickets for 53 runs. He also produced another sensational performance against an England Eleven at Stoke-on-Trent, securing 9 wickets for 15 runs. Beyond his bowling, Turner also demonstrated surprising ability with the bat, scoring his maiden first-class century at The Oval in the inaugural match of that significant tour.

Challenges and Continued Contributions

Following three intensely prolific seasons, Turner found it challenging to maintain the same extraordinary level of productivity. The 1888–89 Australian season was influenced by an El Niño climate pattern, which typically brings drier conditions. This resulted in unresponsive wickets that offered little assistance to his style of bowling. Consequently, Turner's wicket tally dropped significantly, taking only 29 wickets in six games that season, with even fewer in the following one. Despite this downturn in domestic performance, he remained highly regarded for his effectiveness in English conditions.

True to his reputation, Turner did not disappoint the selectors during the 1890 English tour. He once again proved highly prolific, capturing 179 first-class wickets (and 215 wickets across all matches). However, even his brilliance could not break England's prevailing dominance in Test cricket at that time.

In the subsequent Australian seasons, Turner continued to perform commendably, though the relatively limited amount of first-class cricket played prevented him from reaching the record-breaking heights of the late 1880s. During the comparatively dry English summer of 1893, Turner remained Australia's leading bowler, taking 148 wickets at an average of 13.63. Nevertheless, the absence of his bowling partner John Ferris and the increasing demands of his business commitments began to take their toll. It was during this tour that an early form of electronic measurement was used at Woolwich Arsenal to gauge his bowling speed, timing it at approximately 81 feet per second, which equates to about 55 miles per hour (88.5 km/h) – a fascinating insight into the nascent scientific analysis of sports in that era.

The Race to 100 Test Wickets and Farewell

When England toured Australia in 1894–95, Turner became central to a significant milestone in Test cricket history: the race to 100 Test wickets. On 31 December 1894, in the Second Test at Melbourne, he equalled Fred Spofforth's then-record of 94 Test wickets. This occurred just two days after England's Johnny Briggs had also reached that mark, meaning these three legendary bowlers briefly shared the record. However, Turner's absence from the Third Test in Adelaide allowed Briggs to surpass him. Briggs went on to become the first man to claim 100 Test wickets in the Fourth Test at Sydney on 1 February 1895. Just three days later, on 4 February, Charles Turner achieved the same milestone in what would be his final Test match, becoming the second bowler in history to do so.

In that last Test, Turner achieved a unique distinction in Test cricket: he had the English batsman Bobby Peel stumped for a "pair" (being dismissed for zero runs in both innings) on a difficult sticky wicket in Sydney. Despite the personal milestone, his banking business required him to relocate to Queensland two years later, effectively ending his top-level cricketing career. He made one final, albeit unsuccessful, appearance in a benefit match as late as the 1909–10 season, at the age of 47.

Bowling Style and the "Terror" Nickname

Charles Turner was widely regarded by the batsmen who faced him as being without peer, particularly on responsive pitches. He bowled right-arm medium-pace with a distinctively long and rhythmic run-up, culminating in a technically "beautiful" delivery. Despite his relatively modest height of five feet nine inches (175 centimetres), he possessed an extraordinary ability to vary his pace considerably. This versatility, combined with impeccable accuracy in his length and a sharply turning off-break, made him exceptionally difficult to face, especially on rain-affected or "treacherous" wickets. His almost "unplayable" nature on these challenging surfaces earned him the fearsome and memorable nickname, "Terror" Turner.

Post-Playing Career and Enduring Legacy

Even after concluding his illustrious playing career, Charles Turner continued to serve the game of cricket in Australia, transitioning into an influential administrative role throughout the early twentieth century. He notably offered insightful commentary on the profound changes that reshaped Australian cricket after his playing era. He pinpointed two primary factors: a shift towards a drier climate and significant improvements in pitch preparation. From the 1930s onwards, the introduction of pitch covers in Shield matches further transformed conditions, making Australian pitches increasingly unsuitable for bowlers of his type, such as medium-pace off-spinners. This evolution, as he observed, led to a greater reliance on leg-spin bowling as the dominant force in Australian cricket.

Turner's enduring legacy was formally recognized on 15 January 2007, when he was named in the NSW Cricket Team All Time Twelve, an honour bestowed as part of the celebrations commemorating 150 years of the New South Wales Cricket Team. His ashes are now interred within the council chambers of Bathurst, the town of his birth. A plaque at the Bathurst Oval proudly acknowledges his immense contributions to both the sport of cricket and to the Bathurst community. Furthermore, his family had deep roots in Bathurst; his father, Charles Turner, and his grandfather, Robert Turner, arrived from Leeds, England, as free settlers and were prominent hoteliers in the area, owning and operating several establishments, including the Royal Hotel, which remains a landmark in Bathurst today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charles "The Terror" Turner

What made Charles Turner such a feared bowler?
Charles Turner, known as "The Terror," was feared primarily for his exceptional control of pace, pinpoint accuracy, and a sharply turning off-break, especially on rain-affected or "sticky" wickets. His ability to exploit treacherous conditions made him almost unplayable at times.
What was Charles Turner's most significant bowling record?
One of his most significant records was taking 283 first-class wickets in the English season of 1888, a tally only surpassed by two other bowlers in history (Tom Richardson and Tich Freeman) and the highest ever by an Australian in an English season.
Did Charles Turner play only in Australia?
No, Charles Turner toured England multiple times, notably in 1888 and 1890, where he achieved immense success and was considered even more effective due to the typically wetter conditions conducive to his bowling style.
How did Charles Turner get his nickname "The Terror"?
His nickname "The Terror" stemmed from his unplayability on challenging, often rain-affected or "sticky," pitches. Batsmen found his combination of accuracy, pace variation, and sharp off-break truly terrifying in such conditions.
What was Charles Turner's connection to Bathurst?
Charles Turner was born in Bathurst, New South Wales. His family had a long history there as hoteliers, and his ashes are now in the Bathurst council chambers, with a plaque at the Bathurst Oval commemorating his contributions to both cricket and the local community.