Eric Marx

Who was Eric Marx?

Waldemar Frederick Eric Marx was a South African cricketer who played in 3 Tests in 1921.

Marx was educated at Malvern College in England. He created a world record that stood for 73 years when he scored 240 on his first-class debut, for Transvaal against Griqualand West at Johannesburg in December 1920. Opening the batting, he hit 39 fours and a six, and took only 225 minutes. By the end of the first day, 16 December, Transvaal had dismissed Griqualand West for 141 after declaring at 457 for 9: 598 runs for 19 wickets off 121.3 overs in a day's play. In the next three matches he opened both batting and bowling, hitting another century against Orange Free State and taking 7 wickets at 25.42.

When the Australians toured the next season he made 65 against them for Transvaal, batting at number six, and was picked for the three Tests. Batting in the middle order and opening the bowling, he was only moderately successful, his best match being the Second Test, in which he made 36 and 34 and took three wickets.

He played one more match for Transvaal in December 1921. His career, which lasted just over 12 months, ended when he went to work on the mines of the East Rand and the mine manager refused to give him time off to play first-class cricket.