Buster Farrer

Who is Buster Farrer?

William Stephen 'Buster' Farrer is a former South African cricketer who played in six Tests from 1962 to 1964.

He represented the provincial team Border in the Currie Cup, usually in the B Section of the competition. He made his debut against North-Eastern Transvaal in the 1954–55 season a few days after his 18th birthday, scoring 77. After seven more matches in two seasons without reaching 50, he decided to concentrate on his tennis career.

He played in the men's singles at the 1956 Wimbledon Championships. He beat Dick Potter in straight sets in the first round, but lost in straight sets to Steffan Stockenberg in the second round after a 10–12 third set.

He returned to cricket in 1960–61, scoring 499 runs in six matches at an average of 55.44, with five 50s. The next season he was appointed captain of Border, and after one match he was selected for South Africa in the Third Test against New Zealand in Cape Town. Batting at number three he made only 11 and 20, but two weeks later, captaining a South African Colts XI against the New Zealanders on his home ground of East London, he hit 147 not out in the first innings, his first first-class century. He kept his place in the Test side and made 40 in the Fourth Test, and 7 and 10 in the Fifth.