Donald Alexander Noel McRae (25 December 1914 – 10 August 1986) was a double international sportsman, representing New Zealand in cricket and in soccer. His last first-class match was in New Zealand's first Test match against Australia in 1946.
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Donald Alexander Noel McRae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1914-12-25)25 December 1914 Christchurch, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 10 August 1986(1986-08-10) (aged 71) Christchurch, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Batting | Left-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling | Left-arm medium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National side |
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Test debut (cap 37) | 29 March 1946 v Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1937/38–1945/46 | Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 1 April 2017 |
McRae played cricket for Canterbury from 1937-38 to 1945-46 as a tall, economical left-arm medium-pace bowler and useful lower-order batsman. In his first match, against Otago, he top-scored in the second innings with 43, which remained his highest first-class score. In 1943-44, playing for a New Zealand XI against a New Zealand Services XI, he opened the bowling and took 5 for 20 off 17 overs in the first innings. In his four inter-provincial matches in 1944-45 he took 17 wickets at 13.29, and was considered one of the best bowlers in New Zealand.[1]
When the Plunket Shield resumed in 1945-46 he took 13 wickets in the three matches at 23.69. He took only one wicket when the Australians defeated Canterbury by an innings,[2] but still made the Test side three weeks later. He opened the bowling and took 0 for 44 and made 0 and 8 in another innings defeat,[3] and never played first-class cricket again.
McRae made a single appearance as goalkeeper for New Zealand in association football against Australia on 4 July 1936, conceding 7 goals in the 1-7 loss.[4] His domestic club at the time was Nomads United.