Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Queensland Cricket is mourning the passing of former state captain and Australian player Ken Archer.
Archer passed away last week aged 95. Prior to his passing he was Australia’s oldest living male Test cricketer.
He played 58 First Class matches as a top and middle order batsman for Queensland, scoring two centuries with a highest score of 118 in a state career that spanned 10 years. He also played five Tests for Australia and toured South Africa with the national team.
Archer enjoyed three seasons playing in the First XI at the Anglican Church Grammar school in Brisbane before going on to play First Grade cricket for the University of Queensland.
Aged just 18 when he made his First Class debut against a touring 1946 England team, he went onto score 2,665 runs at an average of 28 for Queensland while assuming the state captaincy in the 1952-53 Sheffield Shield season. He also represented Queensland in baseball in the Claxton Shield and was offered – but declined – a professional contract to play in the United States of America.
Part of a talented sporting family, his younger brother Ron also represented Queensland and Australia.
Archer enjoyed a successful career in media and broadcasting, and in 1980 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for Services to Media.
Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Terry Svenson paid tribute to Mr. Archer.
“Ken Archer made a wonderful contribution to cricket in Queensland and led an extraordinary life. On behalf of Queensland Cricket, we thank him for his service to the game and his contribution to cricket as a player and captain.
“The Archer name is synonymous with cricket in Queensland thanks to the deeds of Ken and his brother Ron who both wore the Queensland and Australian caps. We send our condolences to Ken’s children Murray and Gwyneth, the Archer family, and Ken’s loved ones.”
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley echoed Mr. Svenson’s sentiments.
“Everyone in Australian Cricket is saddened by Ken’s passing and enormously appreciative of the long and lasting contribution he made as an outstanding batter for Australia and Queensland and also throughout his distinguished media career.
“Ken was a significant and popular member of a wonderful generation of Australian players. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and all those who were fortunate to have benefited from his time in cricket.”
