Bransby Cooper

Who was Bransby Cooper?

Bransby Beauchamp Cooper was a member of the Australian cricket team that played in the inaugural Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1876–77. He was the first Indian-born cricketer to play Test cricket. He was a right hand batsman and wicket-keeper.

Cooper had a first-class cricket career in England which included playing for Rugby School, Kent and Middlesex, including a number of large partnerships with the youthful W. G. Grace. He moved firstly to the United States, then to Australia in 1869 and played for Victoria in eleven intercolonial matches against New South Wales. His most notable innings was 84 in a total of 266 for Eighteen of Victoria against Grace's English team in 1873, the colonials winning by an innings and 21 runs.

In the inaugural Test match, many expected that Cooper would be named as captain, as Victorians outnumbered New South Welshmen. However Dave Gregory was elected by the players for this honour. In this, his only Test match, Cooper scored 15 and 3, and took 2 catches. He was not selected for the 1878 tour of England, where his experience of English conditions might have been useful.