Les Poidevin

Who was Les Poidevin?

Leslie Oswald Sheridan Poidevin was an Australian tennis player and first class cricketer who played for New South Wales and Lancashire.

A right-handed batsman who was strong in defence, Poidevin started his first class cricket career with New South Wales in 1895. In 1901 he contributed an unbeaten 140 out of the team's total of 918 runs which was a record team score at the time. He would only bat in 23 innings for NSW over the course of his career but his average of 57.73 ranks favourably with the finest who have played for the state.

At the turn of the century he came to England to study medicine and began playing cricket for London County. After three seasons with London County he qualified to play for Lancashire and helped them to win the championship in 1904, his debut season with the county. During the season he made 865 runs at 34. He topped Lancashire's averages the following year with 44 after managing a total of 1376 runs.

Poidevin also played competitive tennis, representing Australia in the 1906 Davis Cup as well as in Grand Slams.