*** Welcome to piglix ***

Rex Townley

Rex Townley
MPS, PhC
Reginald Townley.jpg
Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania
In office
6 February 1950 – 26 June 1956
Preceded by Neil Campbell
Succeeded by Tim Jackson
Constituency Denison
Personal details
Born 15 April 1904
Hobart, Tasmania
Died 3 May 1982
Hobart
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal
Rex Townley
Personal information
Full name Reginald Colin Townley
Batting style Right-handed
Bowling style Right-arm leg-spin
Domestic team information
Years Team
1926-27 – 1935-36 Tasmania
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 16
Runs scored 175
Batting average 8.75
100s/50s –/–
Top score 24 not out
Balls bowled 1574
Wickets 36
Bowling average 35.52
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling 4/111
Catches/stumpings 5/–
Source: Cricket Archive, 27 October 2013

Reginald 'Rex' Colin Townley (15 April 1904—3 May 1982) was an Australian politician who served as leader of the Liberal Party in Tasmania from 1950 to 1956. He also played first-class cricket for the Tasmanian cricket team in his younger years, dismissing Donald Bradman in the 1935 season.

As Tasmania didn't compete in the Sheffield Shield at the time of his cricketing career, Townley's appearances for his state were limited to matches against touring sides such as the Marylebone Cricket Club and South Africa as well as out of season first-class fixtures against other Australian states.

A legbreak bowler, Townley took 36 wickets at 35.52 in first-class matches. His claim to fame as a cricketer was dismissing Donald Bradman, caught and bowled for 369, in a first-class match against South Australia, the legendary batsman's second highest ever score at that level. He also claimed in his career the wickets of English Test cricketer Ernest Tyldesley and South African Test player Bruce Mitchell.

Like his younger brother Athol, the Australian Minister for Defence from 1958 to 1963, Townley went into politics. He joined the Tasmanian House of Assembly at the 1946 election as an Independent, representing Denison.

The Liberal Party installed Townley as their leader for the 1950 election but lost to incumbent Premier Robert Cosgrove, despite achieving a 9.8% swing. With the Liberals regaining two seats which had been held by Independents since 1948, Labor stayed in power only thanks to the support of the remaining Independent, Bill Wedd.


...
Wikipedia

...