Leslie Balfour-Melville

Who was Leslie Balfour-Melville?

Leslie Melville Balfour-Melville, born Leslie Melville Balfour, was an outstanding all-round Scottish amateur sportsman. The finest moment in his sporting career was on 29 July 1882. As captain, opening batsman and wicket-keeper, he led Scotland to victory over Australia at cricket. This was as remarkable an achievement in 1882 as it would be today.

Balfour-Melville was also an international rugby union player, tennis player, ice skater, curler, long-jumper and player of English billiards. He was a prolific golf medal winner, winning The Amateur Championship, in St Andrews in 1895.

He also held several important administrative positions within national governing bodies. He was President of the Scottish Rugby Union, President of the Scottish Cricket Union, and Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1906.

Balfour-Melville was an inaugural inductee into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.