‘Invincibles’ cricketer Hamence dies at 94

ADELAIDE - The roll of cricket’s “Invincibles” has shrunk to three with the death of Australia’s oldest Test player Ron Hamence.

Hamence, who toured England with Don Bradman’s legendary 1948 team without playing a Test, died at a nursing home in Adelaide on Wednesday night at the age of 94.

“He was a lovely man with a great sense of humour,” said Denis Brien, cricket historian and president of Hamence’s old club West Torrens.

He said Hamence suffered badly from arthritis in later life, but had nursed his wife Nora until she died four years ago, after which he became almost a recluse.

A daughter, Lynette Hallett, survives him.

Hamence, born in November 1915, when Australian soldiers were still fighting at Gallipoli, never drove a car in his life.

He was an attacking batsman who used brilliant footwork against slow bowlers.

“He once said he used to imagine that there was no wicketkeeper, and that he and the bowler were the only two in the game,” Brien told AAP.

Hamence made his debut against England in 1947 and played three Tests, with a top score of 30 not out.

He had the distinction of making a century in his first and last first-class matches for South Australia.

His death leaves Sam Loxton, 88, Arthur Morris, 88, and Neil Harvey, 81, as the only survivors of the team that toured England undefeated to mark the end of Bradman’s career. (ANI)