Sir Tim O'Brien, 3rd Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir Timothy "Tim" Carew O'Brien, 3rd Baronet was born at Dublin on 5 November 1861 and died at Ramsey, Isle of Man
on 9 December 1948. He was an Irish
baronet
who played cricket
for England in five Test matches
.
A forceful right-handed batsman, O'Brien played in 266 first class cricket matches as an amateur for Oxford University
(where he studied at New Inn Hall and won a Blue in 1884) and 1885 and in fairly regular appearances for Middlesex
through to 1898. His 92 for Oxford against the 1884 Australians
was instrumental in the university's only victory over an Australian team. He played for England against Australia at Old Trafford
that year and again four years later at Lord's, but in neither game did his distinguish himself.
He toured with MCC
teams twice: in 1887-88 he went with George Vernon
to Australia and in 1895-96 he went with Lord Hawke's side to South Africa, where he acted as captain once against South Africa
at Port Elizabeth in February 1896, winning the game largely as a result of George Lohmann
's match return of 15/45 (7/38 and 8/7).
In county cricket, he was known for hard hitting innings, with a highest score of 202, scored as part of a partnership with Robert Slade Lucas
that put on 338 in 200 minutes.
Uniquely, O'Brien captained Ireland as well as England, recording a top score of 167 against his alma mater for the country of his birth during a brief Irish tour of England. This remained an Irish record until 1973.
He had 10 children, the eldest of whom, Timothy Jnr., died in Flanders
during the First World War
. Sir Timothy was, at the time of his death in 1948, the oldest cricketer to have played in England-Australia Tests. His brother John also played international cricket for Ireland.
Ramsey, Isle of Man
Ramsey is a town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census . It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of...
on 9 December 1948. He was an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
who played cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
for England in five Test matches
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
.
A forceful right-handed batsman, O'Brien played in 266 first class cricket matches as an amateur for Oxford University
Oxford University Cricket Club
Oxford University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket team, representing the University of Oxford. It plays its home games at the University Parks in Oxford, England...
(where he studied at New Inn Hall and won a Blue in 1884) and 1885 and in fairly regular appearances for Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
through to 1898. His 92 for Oxford against the 1884 Australians
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
was instrumental in the university's only victory over an Australian team. He played for England against Australia at Old Trafford
Old Trafford (cricket)
Old Trafford is a cricket ground situated on Talbot Road in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester. It has been the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club since its foundation in 1864, having been the ground of Manchester Cricket Club from 1857...
that year and again four years later at Lord's, but in neither game did his distinguish himself.
He toured with MCC
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...
teams twice: in 1887-88 he went with George Vernon
George Vernon
George Frederick Vernon was a cricketer who played first-class cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club. He also played one Test match for England during the first-ever Ashes tour in 1882-83.Vernon was the son of George Vernon of 32 Montague Square...
to Australia and in 1895-96 he went with Lord Hawke's side to South Africa, where he acted as captain once against South Africa
South African cricket team
The South African national cricket team represent South Africa in international cricket. They are administrated by Cricket South Africa.South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council, also known as ICC, with Test and One Day International, or ODI, status...
at Port Elizabeth in February 1896, winning the game largely as a result of George Lohmann
George Lohmann
George Alfred Lohmann is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time...
's match return of 15/45 (7/38 and 8/7).
In county cricket, he was known for hard hitting innings, with a highest score of 202, scored as part of a partnership with Robert Slade Lucas
Robert Slade Lucas
Robert Slade Lucas was an English cricketer who played for Middlesex. He was a right-handed batsman and occasional right-arm medium paced bowler...
that put on 338 in 200 minutes.
Uniquely, O'Brien captained Ireland as well as England, recording a top score of 167 against his alma mater for the country of his birth during a brief Irish tour of England. This remained an Irish record until 1973.
He had 10 children, the eldest of whom, Timothy Jnr., died in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
during the First World War
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...
. Sir Timothy was, at the time of his death in 1948, the oldest cricketer to have played in England-Australia Tests. His brother John also played international cricket for Ireland.
External references
- Player profile from CricinfoCricinfoESPNcricinfo is believed to be the largest cricket-related website on the World Wide Web. Content includes news,articles, live scorecards,live text commentary and a comprehensive and searchable database called 'StatsGuru', of historical matches and players from the 18th century to the present...
- CricketArchive page on Tim O'Brien