Hassett, Lindsay

▪ 1994

      Australian cricketer (b. Aug. 28, 1913, Geelong, Victoria, Australia—d. June 16, 1993, Bateman's Bay, New South Wales, Australia), was one of his country's finest batsmen for more than two decades and was Don Bradman's successor (1949) as captain of the Australia Test side. Hassett first showed his style as a 17-year-old student at Geelong College, when he scored 147 not out against a touring West Indian team. He played first-class cricket for Victoria from 1932, and he was selected to tour England with Bradman's Test side in 1938. After serving with an antiaircraft regiment during World War II, he was persuaded to lead an Australian armed services team on a postwar tour to England and India. Hassett's short stature, slim build, and mischievous nature belied his prodigious skill as a batsman, especially against spin bowling. He amassed a first-class career total of 16,890 runs (average 58.24) and 59 centuries, including 3,073 runs (average 46.56) and 10 centuries in 43 Test matches. During his tenure as captain (1949-53), he led Australia 24 times, with an enviable record of 14 wins and only 4 losses. He retired in 1953 after losing the Ashes (held by Australia since 1934) to a reinvigorated England side captained by Len Hutton. Hassett was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1953.

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