InternationalBradman

Don Bradman, Col Egar linked in claims over conspiracy set up in Adelaide for noballing of Ian Meckiff in 1963

Don Bradman, Col Egar linked in claims over conspiracy set up in Adelaide for noballing of Ian Meckiff in 1963
Ian Meckiff (bottom right) bowling during the first Test against South Africa in Brisbane in 1963 when he no balled four times in his first over for throwing by South Australian umpire Col Egar (top right).
Main image by Clive MacKinnon, courtesy The Age

Don Bradman and Col Egar were two Adelaide figures linked in one of Australian cricket's most controversial cricket episodes: the noballing of fast baller Ian Meckiff for a throwing action, during the Test match against South Africa at the Gabba ground in Brisbane in 1963.

Egar was the umpire who no balled Meckiff and Bradman was Australian cricket supremo as head of the cricket board and Test team selectors. Bradman had concluded during the 1962-63 season that “chucking” was still the most urgent issue afflicting cricket, largely influenced by his exchanges with English administrators, including his former opponent “Gubby” Allen and Marylebone Cricket Club’s president Harry Altham. They were anxious about the 1963-64 Ashes tour in England and what they saw to be illegal Australian bowling actions, with Meckiff and Gordon Rorke in the spotlight.

Before the summer, Bradman lectured umpires in South Australia about illegal bowling actions. Egar, who was the most senior umpire there, had started his umpiring in forthright style in Australian rules football before switching to Adelaide district cricket where he noballed bowlers eight times. Before being selected to make his Test debut against the West Indies, with some notoriety, in 1961, he made his first throwing call against a bowler at first-class level in a match against Victoria.

Bradman also had a private audience at his Kensington home in Adelaide for cricketers including Australia’s skipper Richie Benaud about the illegal bowling action issue, in January of the summer preceding 1963-64, during the Adelaide Test match against England. Meckiff also dined at Bradman’s home and been shown film footage of bowling actions, including Harold Larwood's reverse to look like a left armer. But Meckiff said Bradman never anything about changing his action.

Bradman and Egar shared part of the journey from Adelaide to Brisbane for the first Test of the 1963-64 series – a point for later conspiracy claims. Meckiff had been picked for the match with a hostile reaction in England where he’d been unequivocally called a thrower. The Australian media speculated that the Meckiff was being chosen so that he could be noballed as a public relations effort to promote Australia's anti-throwing credentials.

Adding to the drama, Egar and Meckiff were close friends. But, in the first over of the Test, Egar ­– standing at square leg – called Meckiff for throwing four times. Benaud immediately removed Meckiff from the bowling attack and didn’t recall him for the rest of what became his final Test match. A shocked Meckiff was told by Bradman on the Test’s rest day that his career was over. Egar always denied any conspiracy or setup had occurred or that he agreed to a premeditated move against Meckiff.

After later leaving umpiring, Egar rose to be on the boards of the South Australian Cricket Association, the Australian Cricket Board, and ultimately chairman from 1989 to 1992. He had been team manager on the controversial tour of Pakistan in 1988, where Egar was as much a participant in the ill feeling about umpiring decisions as any of the players.

Other related ADELAIDE AZ articles

Chase Koepka celebrates his hold in one at the 12th hole or Wtareing Hole for the LIV Golf event at Grange club course in Adelaide in 2023. The cups thrown onto the course behind him grew to a shower of cups and beerdrops (inset) as players chestbumped each other amid the mayhem and roar of the crowd.
International >
Adelaide LIV Golf event in Adelaide 2023 sets new level of joyous mayhem celebrating Chase Koepka's ace
READ MORE+
St Batholomew's Hospital in London where Joseph Cooke Verco trained and worked while achieving medical qualifications with brilliance at the University of London in the 1870s.
International >
Joseph Cooke Verco set up at St Bartholomew's, London, in 1870s, for brilliant life in South Australian medicine
READ MORE+
R.W. Williams' range of boost and clothing inspired Australian bushmen has become a global brand.
International >
R.M. Williams' boots, bush clothing becomes global brand, starting from a Prospect shed in Adelaide in 1934
READ MORE+
Adelaide's Nova Systems developed the medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter NH90 for the Norwegian air force and navy. Image courtesy Nova Systems
International >
Adelaide-based Nova Systems supports new NH19 helicopter capability for Norway's air force and navy
READ MORE+
South Australian postmaster general Charles Todd (sitting) with The Advertiser proprietor John Langdon Bonython and general inspector of schools John Hartley in 1891. Image by Hammer & Co. courtesy State Library of South Australia
International >
South Australian PMG Charles Todd links Australia to world via 1872 Adelaide-Darwin telegraph line project
READ MORE+
Robert Hannaford's statue of Don Bradman, now at the eastern entrance to the remodelled Adelaide Oval.
Bradman >
Adelaide Oval celebrates strong links with Don Bradman as a player and an administrator
READ MORE+

 

 
©2025 Adelaide AZ | Privacy | Terms & Disclaimer | PWA 1.1.58