Description
Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland born right arm fast bowler John McLaren made his debut for Queensland in State cricket in 1906-07 and became the first Queenslander to play for Australia when he was selected for the fifth Test of the 1911-12 Ashes series at Sydney at the end of February 1912, taking the wicket of Frank Foster in England’s second innings, clean bowling him. Although he toured England later that year but didn’t make Australia’s team in any of the Triangular Tournament Tests against England or South Africa and this proved his only appearance for Australia. He played his last first class match in 1914-15, by when he had played in 34 first class matches, taking 107 wickets at 26.74 apiece with a best performance of 5-55, one of 3 five wicket hauls in his career. He averaged 12.53 with the bat with a best score of 43 not out.
A diabetic, McLaren died in November 1921 aged 34 as a result of his condition.
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