Joe Darling, Australian cricketer and politician (b. 1870)
Joseph Darling (21 November 1870 – 2 January 1946) was an Australian cricketer who played 34 Test matches as a specialist batsman between 1894 and 1905. As captain, he led Australia in a total of 21 Tests, winning seven and losing four. In Test cricket, he scored 1,657 runs at an average of 28.56 per innings, including three centuries. Darling toured England four times with the Australian team—in 1896, 1899, 1902 and 1905; the last three tours as captain. He was captain of the Australian cricket team in England in 1902, widely recognised as one of the best teams in Australian cricket history.
He was a stocky, compact man and a strong driver of the ball, playing most of his cricket as an opening batsman. He was a patient batsman and was known for his solid defence, but he was able to score quickly when required. In Sydney in 1897–98, he scored 160 in 165 minutes, including 30 boundaries to assist his team in defeating the English. He was the first man to score 500 runs in a Test series and was also the first to score three centuries in a series. His captaincy was disciplinarian in nature but his teammates respected his broad cricket knowledge. Even tempered with a strong personality, he was a stickler for fair play on the field. His teammates gave him the nickname "Paddy" due to a supposed resemblance to the Australian boxer, Frank "Paddy" Slavin.
His cricket career was interrupted several times due to his obligations as a farmer, first growing wheat in South Australia, and later as a wool-grower in Tasmania. He was a member of several bodies dedicated to agriculture in Tasmania, including the responsible authority for the Royal Hobart Show. He was a pioneer in activities such as rabbit eradication and pasture improvement. He entered politics in 1921, standing as an independent in the Tasmanian Legislative Council, where he was a forceful speaker. He retained his seat in the Tasmanian Parliament until his death following a gall bladder operation in 1946.
1946Jan, 2
Joe Darling
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Events on 1946
- 11Mar
Auschwitz concentration camp
Rudolf Höss, the first commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp, is captured by British troops. - 2Sep
Jawaharlal Nehru
The Interim Government of India is formed, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as Vice President with the powers of a Prime Minister. - 8Sep
Bulgaria
A 95.6% vote in favor of abolishing the monarchy in Bulgaria. - 23Oct
Flushing, Queens
The United Nations General Assembly convenes for the first time, at an auditorium in Flushing, Queens, New York City. - 19Nov
Iceland
Afghanistan, Iceland and Sweden join the United Nations.