Harold Cotton

Who was Harold Cotton?

Harold Norman Jack Cotton was an Australian cricketer who represented South Australia in first-class cricket from the late 1930s to the early 1940s, taking 76 wickets in 25 matches as a fast bowler. He is primarily known for twice being no-balled by Andrew Barlow for throwing.

Cotton made his first-class debut against Tasmania at the Adelaide Oval in March 1936 in the match where Don Bradman set the Adelaide Oval first-class record of 369. He played his first two matches under the Test umpires Jack Scott and Arthur Richardson and was passed for his bowling action. The following season, 1936–37, Cotton was playing in a match against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. Cotton was once no-balled for throwing by Barlow, who was standing at square leg in the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was Cotton's third match at first-class level.

Cotton took his best innings haul of 5/49 in a match against Queensland at The Gabba in November 1939.