Roy Middleton
Encyclopedia
Roy Foster Middleton was a former first-class cricket
er and administrator, serving as chairman of the Australian Cricket Board of Control
.
Born in Kent Town, South Australia
, Middleton made his first-class debut on 28 February 1913 for South Australia against Victoria at the Adelaide Oval
. Batting at number seven, Middleton scored 20 and 14 as South Australia won by 166 runs.
Middleton's highest score of 34 was made as an opener in the match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval starting 13 February 1914 and his final match, also against Victoria, was the final first-class match in Australia before first-class cricket was suspended due to World War I
. Although his first-class statistics were average, Middleton was a leading player in Adelaide district cricket, once scoring an unbeaten 201 for East Torrens Cricket Club against Glenelg Cricket Club
during the 1912/13 season.
Following the war, Middleton worked in investments management, becoming manager of the Executive Trustee and Agency Co. in Adelaide, and became involved in cricket administration, initially with his club side East Torrens, where he became secretary. In 1926 he was elected South Australian Cricket Association
treasurer, a position he held until 1949, appointed to the Grounds and Finance Committee and became a member of the Australian Cricket Board of Control. In 1929 Middleton further consolidated his role as a senior figure in South Australian cricket when he was made chairman of SACAs Cricket Committee. In these roles, Middleton was forced to deal with problems related to the onset of the Great Depression
, including a significant drop in SACA income and requests for aid by former players in financial difficulties (such as Ernie Jones
). Additionally, he was involved in the recruitment to South Australia of leading players, such as Don Bradman and Jack Badcock
Following the death of SACA President Harry Blinman on 23 July 1950, Middleton, who was Vice-President, was elected to the position of President, a position he would hold until September 1965.
Middleton was appointed chairman of the Australian Cricket Board of Control on 18 September 1952, the first in 25 years to have played first-class cricket. He served as chairman for one three-year term, retaining his SACA positions. Outside of cricket, Middleton was a leading figure in Adelaide society, serving as President of the influential Commonwealth Club
In 1962, Middleton was awarded honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club
(MCC) in appreciation "of the high service rendered to the game." Throughout the 1960s, there had been a growing push for cricket to be played on Sundays, a move staunchly opposed by the conservative Middleton. By September 1965, with the majority of SACA members in favour of play on Sunday, Middleton decided to retire from the presidency, although he continued to remain active in the association.
Middleton died in Adelaide in 1975, aged 85.
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
er and administrator, serving as chairman of the Australian Cricket Board of Control
Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia, formerly known as the Australian Cricket Board, is the governing body for professional and amateur cricket in Australia. It was originally formed in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket...
.
Born in Kent Town, South Australia
Kent Town, South Australia
Kent Town is an inner urban suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.-History:The suburb was named after Dr Benjamin Archer Kent, who established a farm and flour mill on which the suburb now stands.....
, Middleton made his first-class debut on 28 February 1913 for South Australia against Victoria at the Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the Central Business District and North Adelaide...
. Batting at number seven, Middleton scored 20 and 14 as South Australia won by 166 runs.
Middleton's highest score of 34 was made as an opener in the match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval starting 13 February 1914 and his final match, also against Victoria, was the final first-class match in Australia before first-class cricket was suspended due to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Although his first-class statistics were average, Middleton was a leading player in Adelaide district cricket, once scoring an unbeaten 201 for East Torrens Cricket Club against Glenelg Cricket Club
Glenelg Cricket Club
Glenelg Cricket Club are a Grade Cricket team located in Adelaide, South Australia.Their official website is http://www.gdcc.net.au...
during the 1912/13 season.
Following the war, Middleton worked in investments management, becoming manager of the Executive Trustee and Agency Co. in Adelaide, and became involved in cricket administration, initially with his club side East Torrens, where he became secretary. In 1926 he was elected South Australian Cricket Association
South Australian Cricket Association
The South Australian Cricket Association is the peak body for the sport of cricket in South Australia. The association runs Adelaide Oval and the Southern Redbacks based in Adelaide, South Australia. SACA is the controlling body for the South Australian Grade Cricket League...
treasurer, a position he held until 1949, appointed to the Grounds and Finance Committee and became a member of the Australian Cricket Board of Control. In 1929 Middleton further consolidated his role as a senior figure in South Australian cricket when he was made chairman of SACAs Cricket Committee. In these roles, Middleton was forced to deal with problems related to the onset of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, including a significant drop in SACA income and requests for aid by former players in financial difficulties (such as Ernie Jones
Ernie Jones
Ernest Jones was an Australian sportsman, playing Test cricket and Australian rules football....
). Additionally, he was involved in the recruitment to South Australia of leading players, such as Don Bradman and Jack Badcock
Jack Badcock
Clayvel Lindsay 'Jack' Badcock was an Australian cricketer who played in 7 Tests from 1936 to 1938....
Following the death of SACA President Harry Blinman on 23 July 1950, Middleton, who was Vice-President, was elected to the position of President, a position he would hold until September 1965.
Middleton was appointed chairman of the Australian Cricket Board of Control on 18 September 1952, the first in 25 years to have played first-class cricket. He served as chairman for one three-year term, retaining his SACA positions. Outside of cricket, Middleton was a leading figure in Adelaide society, serving as President of the influential Commonwealth Club
In 1962, Middleton was awarded honorary life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
(MCC) in appreciation "of the high service rendered to the game." Throughout the 1960s, there had been a growing push for cricket to be played on Sundays, a move staunchly opposed by the conservative Middleton. By September 1965, with the majority of SACA members in favour of play on Sunday, Middleton decided to retire from the presidency, although he continued to remain active in the association.
Middleton died in Adelaide in 1975, aged 85.