Jimmy Sinclair

Who was Jimmy Sinclair?

James Hugh Sinclair was a South African cricketer who played in 25 Tests from 1896 to 1911.

He also played international rugby union and won a single international appearance in association football. This feat of having made international appearances in three distinct sports is, as far as this editor is aware, shared by only two other South Africans, one of whom was Percy Sherwell.

It is on record that he hit the first test century by a South African, and several of the records which he established were only surpassed during the 1990s and later. A 2006 source shows Sinclair as still being the world's 6th quickest batsman.

There are also various stories told about Sinclair, including that relating the occasion on which a ball which he had hit for a six at the old Wanderers' Ground in Johannesburg landed on a train bound for Port Elizabeth and was only recovered at that destination. This ball was for many years on display at the Wanderers' clubhouse until a fire in the latter part of the 20th century.