TRUMPER, VICTOR (1877-1915), Australian cricketer, was born at Sydney, N.S.W., on Nov. 2, 1877, and died there of Bright's disease on June 28, 1915. His first appearance against England was in a second-class match against Stoddart's team in 1894-95. In 20 seasons of first-class cricket, 1894-1914, he made 17,000 runs for an average of 45. His first visit to England, in 1899, was moderately successful; his next, in 19o2, was a tri umphal progress. "From start to finish of the season, on every sort of wicket, against every type of bowling, Trumper entranced the eye, inspired his side, demoralized his enemies, and made run-getting appear the easiest thing in the world" (H. S. Altham, History of Cricket). It was apparent at once that there had arisen a batsman of a class apart, whose supremacy, even in that golden age of batting, was comparable to that of "W.G." He came again in 1905, and 1910; in all he made six centuries for Australia against England, and his first wicket partnerships with R. A. Duff were long a thorn in England's side. Trumper was
also a fine out-field, and could bowl fast for a short time. Trump er's batting was of that supreme type which defies description. The only adequate idea of his style is to be derived from a wonderful series of photographs in Beldam and Fry's Great Batsmen (19o5). With his accurate timing and placing, and his speed on his feet, he had all bowlers at his mercy. "No one ever played so naturally," Warner has said of him, "batting was just part of himself." He had a charming personality and was the most beloved of cricketers. Perhaps the best tribute to his great ness is that every new batsman of high promise in Australia is hailed as "a second Trumper." See M. A. Noble, The Game's the Thing (London and Australia, 1926) Scores and Biographies, vol. xv. (1925).