Basil Rigg

Biography

During the 1940s, Rigg also played Australian rules football and was the leading goal-kicker for WANFL club Perth in 1943. The following year he enlisted in the Australian Army and served overseas. A rover, he had a stint at West Perth before returning to Perth after the war. Towards the end of the decade he gave up football so he could concentrate on his promising cricket career. He however still remained active outside of cricket, by playing baseball and was a state representative in the Claxton Shield.

An all-rounder, Rigg was a member of the Western Australian Sheffield Shield winning in 1947/48. He played in two matches, including their win over Queensland which secured the Shield for the first ever time in the state's history. Rigg's contribution towards a successful campaign was limited, he could only manage 34 runs in four innings and failed to take a wicket. In all first-class matches that summer, he took just three wickets with his leg spin, despite bowling over 500 balls. His bowling was used less frequently in future seasons. Both of his first-class half centuries were also made in 1947/48 and both were against national teams. He scored 54 not out against India and also put in his best performance with the ball by dismissing two batsmen, including their best in Vijay Hazare. Playing against an Australian XI soon after, Rigg made 65 in the first innings, after initially retiring hurt on five. He also took the wicket of opener Bill Brown but went for 65 runs from his six overs. It was often the case that he would return expensive bowling figures, with his career economy rate finishing above four runs an over. Nonetheless it had been perhaps his best match as he had made his half century against an attack featuring the likes of Keith Miller and four other bowlers who would later form part of "The Invincibles".