Description
Sydney, New South Wales born Harry Boyle had the distinction of visiting England with the three earliest Australian representative touring teams, in 1878, 1880 and 1882. The slightly reticent Boyle was chosen as captain for the 1880 tour but a shipboard team meeting voted to replace him with the more outgoing Billy Murdoch before their arrival.
An outstanding medium-pacer, Boyle’s greatest strengths were said to be the accuracy of his deliveries and his ability to probe a batsman’s weaknesses. His bowling was considered to be particularly effective under English conditions. His achievements with the ball were often overshadowed by the exploits of his brilliant team mate, “The Demon Bowler”, Fred Spofforth.
He was an exceptionally good close-in fielder, too, and a brave if limited batsman. In all, he played 12 Tests, taking 32 wickets at an average 20.03 with a best performance of 6-42, and scoring 153 runs at an average of 12.75, with a high score of 32 not out. In 140 first class matches throughout his career, he had one century, his top score being 108, and one further half century, and averaged 10.24 with the bat. He took 370 wickets at 15.38, with a best performance of 7-32. He bowled 26 five wicket innings and 6 ten wicket matches.
Boyle was also a leading Australian rules footballer for Carlton Football Club during the mid 1870’s.