Ray Strauss

Raymond Bernard Strauss (4 November 1927 – 28 July 2013)[1] was an Australian sportsman who played both cricket and field hockey at high levels. From Perth, Western Australia, Strauss attended Perth Modern School and later the University of Western Australia, playing for the university's hockey club.[2] Twice named captain of the all-Australian universities side, he was captain of the side on several occasions, including when the team shared the 1952 Syme Cup with the University of Adelaide.[3] Strauss represented Western Australia on various occasions from 1949 to 1955, and made his Test debut for the Australian national team in August 1954, against New Zealand (with cricket teammate Ian Dick captaining the side), though it is unclear if he played further matches for the national side.[4] At both club and state levels, he had largely played as a defender, usually as a fullback,[5][6] and was known for his "interceptions and long clearances".[7]

Ray Strauss

Personal information
Full name	Raymond Bernard Strauss
Born	4 November 1927 Perth, Western Australia
Died	28 July 2013 (aged 85) Nedlands, Western Australia
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm fast-medium
Role	Bowler
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1952/53–1959/60	Western Australia
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 37 Runs scored 805 Batting average 16.42 100s/50s 0/2 Top score 52 Balls bowled 8,399 Wickets 139 Bowling average 24.29 5 wickets in innings 9 10 wickets in match 0 Best bowling 7/59 Catches/stumpings 11/–
Source: CricketArchive, 28 July 2013

Playing first for East Perth and then University at WACA district level,[8] Strauss had played cricket matches for state colts teams as early as the 1950–51 season,[9] but did not make his first-class debut for the state's senior team until the end of the 1952–53 season, playing for the state against the touring Australian and South African national teams.[10] Opening the bowling with Harry Price against the South Africans, he took 7/75 in the side's second innings, although Western Australia still lost the match by 175 runs.[11] A regular in the side throughout the remainder of the 1950s, Strauss took 25 wickets in a season on three separate occasions (1956–57, 1958–59, and 1959–60),[12] often partnering with Des Hoare and Ron Gaunt.[13] His best bowling figures came during the 1956–57 season in the opening Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, when he took 7/59 from 18 eight-ball overs.[14] He finished that season with 33 wickets at an average of 22.48, the most of any fast bowler and second only to Victoria's Lindsay Kline (37 wickets) overall.[15]

Having played his last matches for Western Australia during the 1959–60 season, Strauss spent both the 1960 and 1961 English seasons as the professional player for the East Lancashire Cricket Club in the Lancashire League, playing 52 league and seven cup matches over the two seasons.[16][17] East Lancashire made the final of the Worsley Cup (the league's knockout competition) in both seasons, winning in 1961.[18] Strauss took five-wicket hauls in both years, as well as scoring a half-century in the 1960 loss. However, his performance in that match was largely overshadowed by that of Burnley's professional, Indian Test player Dattu Phadkar, who took 8/54 and scored 68 not out.[19] In league matches, Strauss took the most wickets for the club in both seasons,[20] as well as leading the club's runs aggregates in the 1960 season.[21] His 104 wickets during that season was only bettered by West Indies international Roy Gilchrist.[22] He finished his first-class career with 139 wickets from 37 matches.

Strauss died in Perth in July 2013, aged 85.[13]

References

1. "Raymond Strauss Obituary". westannouncements. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
2. UWAHC History: Part 4 – "ROCK SOLID" – UWA Hockey Club. Excerpted from Memoirs: reflections of the first 80 years (1924–2004). Retrieved 28 July 2013.
3. "University Seeks Syme Cup" – The West Australian. Published 13 May 1954. Retrieved from Trove, 28 July 2013.
4. "Australia Places Faith In Ian Dick" – The West Australian. Published 7 August 1954. Retrieved from Trove, 28 July 2013.
5. UWAHC History: Part 3 – "THE PROMISE OF BEER" – UWA Hockey Club. Excerpted from Memoirs: reflections of the first 80 years (1924–2004). Retrieved 28 July 2013.
6. "Hockey Side Should Be Strong" – The West Australian. Published 17 June 1954. Retrieved from Trove, 28 July 2013.
7. "Senior Hockey Team Beaten at Hobart" – The West Australian. Published 3 August 1953. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
8. "East Perth's Many Reps" – Mirror. Published 30 January 1954. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
9. Miscellaneous matches played by Ray Strauss (2) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
10. First-class matches played by Ray Strauss (37) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
11. Western Australia v South Africans, South Africa in Australia and New Zealand 1952/53] – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
12. First-class bowling in each season by Ray Strauss – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
13. Former WA bowler Ray Strauss dies – ESPNcricinfo. Published 28 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
14. South Australia v Western Australia, Sheffield Shield 1956/57 – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
15. Bowling in Sheffield Shield 1956/57 (ordered by wickets) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
16. Lancashire League matches played by Ray Strauss (52) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
17. Lancashire League Worsley Cup matches played by Ray Strauss (7) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
18. Todmorden v East Lancashire, Lancashire League Worsley Cup 1961 (Final) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
19. East Lancashire v Burnley, Lancashire League Worsley Cup 1960 (Final) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
20. Bowling in Lancashire League 1961 (ordered by wickets) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
21. Batting in Lancashire League 1960 (ordered by runs scored) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
22. Bowling in Lancashire League 1960 (ordered by wickets) – CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 July 2013.

External links

• Ray Strauss at ESPNcricinfo