Description
Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England born right-hand batsman Austin Diamond was a disciplined and determined batsman who moved to Australia at an early age and made his State debut for New South Wales against Tasmania in December 1899.
Playing in the same team as Australian Test players such as Reggie Duff, Victor Trumper, Monty Noble, Bert Hopkins, Charles Macartney, Tibby Cotter and Sammy Carter, Diamond had his best season in 1906-07, when he scored 502 runs at an average of 83.66, including his only double century, scoring 210 not out against Victoria in a Sheffield Shield match at Sydney in January 1907. Diamond captained the unofficial Australian tour to Fiji, Canada and the USA from May to September 1913. The tour included five first class matches, as well as many minor matches.
He served as a lieutenant with the 18th Australian Infantry Battalion during the First World War. After the War he played one last first class match during the 1918-19 season, against Victoria at Sydney in December 1918. In 35 first class matches he averaged 32.96 with the bat, making 4 centuries and 4 half centuries. He also took 36 catches in those games.