Description
Port Victor, South Australia born right-hand batsman Algy Gehrs played his grade cricket for Port Adelaide and made his debut in first class cricket for South Australia in 1902-03. His form was such that he was soon called up to the Australian Test team, making his Test match debut against England at Melbourne in March 1904, and he subsequently played in the Old Trafford Test during Australia’s 1905 tour, doing little in both Tests.
He was recalled to the Australian team during 1910-11 and played 4 further Test matches against South Africa, scoring 67 at Sydney in December 1910 and 58 in the second innings at Melbourne in February 1911. The last innings improved his Test match average to 20.09.
He played both sides of the First World War, retiring after the 1920-21 season. By that time, in 83 first class matches, he had scored 4,377 runs at an average of 33.66 with 13 centuries and 16 half centuries, with a highest score of 170. He also took 8 wickets bowling occasional leg-breaks at an average of 52, with a best return of 2-9, and took 71 catches, also stumping 4 batsmen as an occasional wicket-keeper.
He also played Australian rules football for South Adelaide and North Adelaide Football Clubs.