Patrick McShane

Patrick George McShane (18 April 1858 at Keilor, Victoria – 11 December 1903 at Kew, Victoria) was an Australian cricketer who played in 3 Test matches between 1885 and 1888.

McShane is rare in that he was a Test match umpire before he played in a Test match. He officiated in one match between Australia and England in Sydney on 14 March 1885 to 17 March 1885, won by Australia by eight wickets after George Bonnor scored a century in 100 minutes, the fastest in Test matches to that time. McShane’s colleague was Ted Elliott.

He was then selected for the match in Melbourne the following week, making 9 and 12 not out. He was a left-hand bat who played in 36 First-class cricket matches for Victoria between 1880/81 and 1892/93. He scored 1117 runs at an average of 18.31 and highest score of 88. As a left-arm medium pace bowler he took 72 wickets at an average of 25.36 with best figures of 9/45 in an innings. He also took 24 catches.

McShane was selected to play in two more Test matches against England in the 1887-88 season, failing with the bat – his last three innings were ducks, and taking only one wicket. Altogether he scored 26 runs at an average of 5.20, and took 1 wicket for 48 runs.

He also captained the Fitzroy Football Club in the VFA. After his sporting career ended, McShane was employed as curator at St Kilda Club's ground, but became mentally ill and was admitted to Kew Asylum where he died.