Bromley Ernie Image 1 Victoria 1934

Fremantle, Western Australia born left-hand batsman Ernie “Slogger” Bromley made his debut in first class cricket for Western Australia in 1929-30. Tall and thin, he had a remarkable throwing arm. In 1933 he took part in a throwing contest at the MCG; his first throw clattered into a barrier 130 yards away erected to protect spectators. His returns to the wicket were flat and hard, a rarity at the time.

In 1932-33 he transferred to Victoria in a bid to improve his national chances. He scored 84 against New South Wales, an innings which won him a call-up into the squad for the fourth Bodyline Series Test at Brisbane in February 1933, becoming the first Western Australian to play cricket for Australia, but he was found wanting against quick bowling, albeit he made his Test best score of 26 in the first innings, batting at No. 7, before being caught off Harold Larwood’s bowling.

He scored heavily in 1933-34, winning selection for the 1934 England tour, but he struggled and scored 312 runs in 20 innings. His second and final Test appearance came at Lord’s in June 1934 when he made 1 and 4 in Australia’s only defeat there in the 20th century. He never reckoned in the selectors’ minds again, but he continued to play state cricket until 1938-39 and grade cricket for St Kilda until the late 1940’s.

In 52 first class matches, Bromley scored 2,055 runs at an average of 28.54 with a highest score of 161 among 3 centuries and 12 half centuries. A slow left-arm orthodox spin bowler, he also took 38 wickets at 42.33 apiece with a best performance of 4-50. He also held 43 catches in first class play.

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