Basil Melle

Who was Basil Melle?

Dr Basil George von Brandis Melle was a South African first-class cricketer who played as a right-handed batsman and bowled right-arm medium pace and later leg breaks. Melle was one of the earliest leg theory bowlers.

Melle made his first-class debut for Western Province in 1909 against Eastern Province. He played nine first-class matches for the province from 1909 to 1911, with his final match coming against Transvaal. In his nine matches for Western Province he scored 439 runs at a batting average of 31.35, with 2 half centuries and a single century score of 145 against Griqualand West in 1911.

In 1911 Melle played single first-class matches for The Rest against Transvaal and for PT Lewis' XI against LJ Tancred's XI.

Melle later moved to England to study at Oxford University, where he represented the University cricket team. He made his debut for the University in 1913 against HK Foster's XI. Melle represented the University in 15 first-class matches in 1913 and 1914, winning a cricket Blue in both years, before first-class cricket was suspended owing to the onset of the First World War. Melle's final match for the University was the University Match against Cambridge University at Lord's. In his 15 matches for the University Melle scored 497 runs at a batting average of 20.70, with three half centuries and a high score of 72 against Sussex in 1913. With the ball he took 74 wickets at a bowling average of 20.04 with six five wicket hauls, one ten wicket haul in a match and best figures of 7/48 against the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1913. Melle led the University's averages in 1913 with 55 wickets at an average of 15.90.