Barry Fisher
Encyclopedia
Barry Fisher was an Australian first class cricketer who represented Queensland
from 1954–55 until 1967–68. A right arm fast bowler, he played 56 matches and briefly was seen as a future Australian Test prospect after being selected for an Australian Second XI tour of New Zealand
in 1959–60. his first-class career ended after he was no-balled for throwing
in November 1967.
Fisher was born into a cricketing family; his father Alexander
played three matches for Queensland in the 1930s. Fisher modelled his action on the great Australian bowler Ray Lindwall
who was widely regarded as the best fast bowler of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Lindwall had a classical side on action which imparted outswing at high pace. Fisher made his first-class debut for Queensland against New South Wales
during the 1954–55 season when Lindwall was on international duty and left a vacancy in the team. Fisher made an impressive debut, taking match figures of 8/128. Fisher was unable to hold down a regular place in the Queensland side until 1957–58 season.
Fisher had a metal pin inserted into his left shoulder in 1952 to prevent it from being dislocated, but he still suffered persistent shoulder problems. He was a useful lower order batsman who batted in the number 9 position,and scored his only first-class hundred of 103 against Victoria
in the 1957–58 season. Strong performances saw Fisher selected in an Australian XI that played against the English cricket team during their 1958–59 tour of Australia leading up to the Tests. Such teams were used to trial prospective Test players. Fisher also shared the new ball with Lindwall for Queensland when the latter was not playing for Australia. The following year in 1959–60, while the Australian Test team toured the Indian subcontinent
, Fisher was selected for a Second XI tour of New Zealand under Ian Craig
.Whimpress, p. 92. In 1962–63, Fisher had a notable performance of 5/18 in one match against New South Wales, helping to bowl them out for 82. He retired at the end of the season, but made a comeback in the 1967–68 season.
The first of two matches that Fisher played in his comeback was against New South Wales at Brisbane
. He was used only sparingly but claimed the wicket of newly retired Australian Test captain Bob Simpson
in the second innings. Fisher played in the return match between the two sides at the Sydney Cricket Ground
in November 1967. Simpson was in an aggressive mood and had reached 243 not out at the end of the first day, with the home side on 3/399. Fisher and his bowling colleagues had conceded many runs. Umpire Ted Wykes
no-balled Fisher from square leg during his third over, a decision which stunned Fisher. He later declared "I've bowled 1,100 overs in Shield cricket without being called by an umpire". At the end of match in which he took 0/111 in 20 overs as Queensland fell to an innings defeat, Fisher went into retirement, this time permanently.
Fisher later moved to northern New South Wales, where he operated a hotel. He committed suicide after his marriage had failed.
Queensland Bulls
The Queensland cricket team, nicknamed the Bulls, are the Brisbane-based Queensland representative cricket team in Australia's domestic cricket tournaments:*Sheffield Shield, 4-day matches with first-class status, since the 1926/27 season...
from 1954–55 until 1967–68. A right arm fast bowler, he played 56 matches and briefly was seen as a future Australian Test prospect after being selected for an Australian Second XI tour of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in 1959–60. his first-class career ended after he was no-balled for throwing
Throwing (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, throwing, commonly referred to as chucking, is an illegal bowling action which occurs when a bowler straightens their arm when delivering the ball. The Laws of Cricket specify that a bowler's arm must be fully extended and rotated about the shoulder to impart velocity to...
in November 1967.
Fisher was born into a cricketing family; his father Alexander
Alexander Fisher
Alexander FisherAliases: Sash Fisher, A. S. Fisher, Alex Fisher, Alexander Fisher, A. Fisher, F. Fisher, Alex, Fisher, Sacha FisherBorn: December 25, 1903 in pre-Revolutionary Russia - escaped in 1917...
played three matches for Queensland in the 1930s. Fisher modelled his action on the great Australian bowler Ray Lindwall
Ray Lindwall
Raymond Russell Lindwall MBE was a cricketer who represented Australia in 61 Tests from 1946 to 1960. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He also played top-flight rugby league football with St...
who was widely regarded as the best fast bowler of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Lindwall had a classical side on action which imparted outswing at high pace. Fisher made his first-class debut for Queensland against New South Wales
New South Wales Blues
The New South Wales cricket team are an Australian first class cricket team based in Sydney, New South Wales...
during the 1954–55 season when Lindwall was on international duty and left a vacancy in the team. Fisher made an impressive debut, taking match figures of 8/128. Fisher was unable to hold down a regular place in the Queensland side until 1957–58 season.
Fisher had a metal pin inserted into his left shoulder in 1952 to prevent it from being dislocated, but he still suffered persistent shoulder problems. He was a useful lower order batsman who batted in the number 9 position,and scored his only first-class hundred of 103 against Victoria
Victorian Bushrangers
The Victorian cricket team, nicknamed the Bushrangers, is an Australian cricket team based in Melbourne, that represents the state of Victoria. It is administered by Cricket Victoria and draws its players from Melbourne's Premier Cricket competition...
in the 1957–58 season. Strong performances saw Fisher selected in an Australian XI that played against the English cricket team during their 1958–59 tour of Australia leading up to the Tests. Such teams were used to trial prospective Test players. Fisher also shared the new ball with Lindwall for Queensland when the latter was not playing for Australia. The following year in 1959–60, while the Australian Test team toured the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
, Fisher was selected for a Second XI tour of New Zealand under Ian Craig
Ian Craig
Ian David Craig is a former Australian Test cricketer who represented Australia in 11 Tests between 1953 and 1958. A slightly built right-handed batsman, Craig holds the record for being the youngest Australian to make a first-class double century, gain Test selection and captain his country...
.Whimpress, p. 92. In 1962–63, Fisher had a notable performance of 5/18 in one match against New South Wales, helping to bowl them out for 82. He retired at the end of the season, but made a comeback in the 1967–68 season.
The first of two matches that Fisher played in his comeback was against New South Wales at Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. He was used only sparingly but claimed the wicket of newly retired Australian Test captain Bob Simpson
Bob Simpson (cricketer)
Robert Baddeley Simpson AO is a former cricketer who played for New South Wales, Western Australia and Australia, captaining the national team from 1963–64 until 1967–68, and again in 1977–78. He later had a highly successful term as the coach of the Australian team...
in the second innings. Fisher played in the return match between the two sides at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
in November 1967. Simpson was in an aggressive mood and had reached 243 not out at the end of the first day, with the home side on 3/399. Fisher and his bowling colleagues had conceded many runs. Umpire Ted Wykes
Ted Wykes
Edgar Frederick Wykes, OAM, was an Australian cricket Test match umpire. His family emigrated from the UK to Australia in 1925 as assisted immigrants....
no-balled Fisher from square leg during his third over, a decision which stunned Fisher. He later declared "I've bowled 1,100 overs in Shield cricket without being called by an umpire". At the end of match in which he took 0/111 in 20 overs as Queensland fell to an innings defeat, Fisher went into retirement, this time permanently.
Fisher later moved to northern New South Wales, where he operated a hotel. He committed suicide after his marriage had failed.