Births on January 10

Pud Thurlow, Australian cricketer (d. 1975)

Who Was Hugh Motley 'Pud' Thurlow?

Hugh Motley Thurlow, affectionately known as 'Pud', was an Australian right-arm fast-medium bowler whose cricket career, while brief at the international level, remains a notable footnote in the annals of Australian Test cricket history. Born in Townsville, Queensland, on 10 January 1903, Thurlow is primarily remembered as a "one-Test wonder," having played just a single Test match for his country in 1932.

The Sole Test Appearance: Australia vs. South Africa, 1931-32

Thurlow's opportunity on the international stage arose during the 1931–32 home series against South Africa. He was called up for the Fourth Test, played at the iconic Adelaide Oval in February 1932. This series was a dominant one for Australia, who ultimately swept South Africa 5-0. While his first-class career for Queensland showcased his wicket-taking ability, earning him this coveted national call-up, it was this single Test that would define his international legacy.

Bowling Amidst Spin Dominance

In the Adelaide Test, 'Pud' Thurlow opened the bowling in both of South Africa's innings. Despite delivering a considerable number of overs as a pace bowler, he finished the match without taking a wicket, conceding 86 runs (0-86). While these figures might seem unremarkable on their own, it's crucial to contextualize them within the match's unique conditions. The Adelaide Oval pitch during this period was renowned for its spin-friendly characteristics. Australia's legendary spin duo, Clarrie Grimmett and Bill O'Reilly, absolutely dominated the opposition, sharing a remarkable 18 wickets between them in that very match – Grimmett taking 10 wickets (7/83 in the first innings and 3/63 in the second) and O'Reilly claiming 8 wickets (4/50 and 4/80). For a fast-medium bowler like Thurlow, breaking through on such a surface against top international batsmen presented an immense challenge, highlighting the strategic focus on spin.

The 299* Legacy: A Duck, A Run-Out, and Don Bradman

Beyond his bowling, Thurlow's single Test appearance is indelibly linked to one of cricket’s most famous near-misses and a significant piece of Don Bradman lore. Batting at number 11, the traditional tail-ender's position, Thurlow came to the crease as Australia sought to build a commanding first-innings total. He batted only once and was unfortunately run out for a duck, failing to trouble the scorers. While a duck for a No.11 batsman is generally not considered a major setback, the circumstances surrounding this dismissal proved exceptionally memorable and, for some, career-defining.

The "mystery" of Thurlow's brief international career becomes strikingly clear when examining the scoresheet. At the other end stood the incomparable Sir Donald Bradman, already on a monumental 299 runs and not out. Thurlow's run-out meant that Bradman was left stranded on 299, just one run shy of what would have been his third triple-century in Test cricket. This unfortunate incident, preventing Bradman from reaching a personal milestone that would have further cemented his legend, is widely speculated to have contributed to Thurlow never playing for Australia again. The immense pressure and disappointment associated with denying cricket's greatest batsman a triple-century, even unintentionally, forever intertwined Thurlow's name with this iconic moment in cricketing history.

Later Life and Enduring Place in Cricket Lore

Hugh Motley 'Pud' Thurlow passed away in Rosalie, Queensland, on 3 December 1975, at the age of 72. Despite his short international career, his name remains a subject of fascination among cricket enthusiasts, largely due to the unique circumstances of his only Test match and his unwitting role in one of Don Bradman's most famous innings. He serves as a poignant example of the fine margins that can define a cricketer's international journey and how a single moment can leave an indelible mark on the sport's collective memory.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hugh Motley 'Pud' Thurlow

• When and where was Hugh Motley 'Pud' Thurlow born and when did he die?

  Hugh Motley Thurlow was born on 10 January 1903 in Townsville, Queensland, and passed away on 3 December 1975 in Rosalie, Queensland, at the age of 72.

• How many Test matches did 'Pud' Thurlow play for Australia?

  He played in only one Test match for Australia, which occurred in 1932 against South Africa.

• Why is Hugh Thurlow's only Test match so famous?

  His only Test is famous because he was run out for a duck while batting at number 11, leaving the legendary Don Bradman stranded not out on 299 runs, just one run short of what would have been his third triple-century.

• What was Hugh Thurlow's bowling performance in his Test match?

  He opened the bowling in both innings but did not take any wickets, finishing with figures of 0-86 for the match. This was on a pitch highly conducive to spin bowling, where Australian spinners Clarrie Grimmett and Bill O'Reilly took 18 wickets between them.

• Was 'Pud' Thurlow primarily a batsman or a bowler?

  He was primarily a right-arm fast-medium bowler, although his single Test match is most remembered for his batting dismissal that inadvertently affected Don Bradman's score.