{{short description|Australian cricketer (1866–1932)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}} {{use Australian English|date=December 2016}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Sydney Austin | image = Sydney Austin.png | image_size = 160px | fullname = Sydney Walter Austin | birth_date = {{birth date|1866|11|16|df=yes}} | birth_place = Sydney, Australia | death_date = {{death date and age|1932|9|9|1866|11|16|df=yes}} | death_place = Randwick, Sydney, Australia | batting = Right-handed | bowling = Right-arm leg-spin | role = | club1 = New South Wales | year1 = 1892–1894 | columns = 1 | column1 = First-class | matches1 = 8 | runs1 = 176 | bat avg1 = 14.66 | 100s/50s1 = 0/0 | top score1 = 43 | deliveries1 = 1797 | wickets1 = 53 | bowl avg1 = 11.69 | fivefor1 = 6 | tenfor1 = 1 | best bowling1 = 8/14 | catches/stumpings1 = 2/0 | date = 24 March 2018 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/4000.html Cricinfo }}
'''Sydney Walter Austin''' (16 November 1866 – 9 September 1932) was an Australian cricketer.<ref name="Bio">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/4000.html |title=Sydney Austin |access-date=22 December 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> He played eight first-class matches for New South Wales between April 1893 and February 1894.<ref name="CA">{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/5/5716/5716.html |title=Sydney Austin |access-date=22 December 2016 |work=Cricket Archive}}</ref>
==Biography== Austin was described as a "veritable W.G." in junior cricket due to his physique and performances. However, he played for the minor club Clyde in Moore Park cricket, and while he was often offered a place by clubs in higher standard competitions he remained loyal to his club. It was suggested this prevented him from potentially representing Australia. He was a slow bowler who generally bowled breaks from the leg on a good length; he also performed well with the bat at times.<ref name=AOS/>
In 1891 Austin was selected for a New South Wales junior side which played Victoria and he scored so well that it caused confusion as to why he was not already playing senior cricket. He finally joined a senior cricket team in 1894 when he joined Waverley and he took the most first grade wickets in the 1895–96 and 1897–98 seasons.<ref name=AOS>{{cite journal|title=Another Old Sketch|journal=Referee|date=30 December 1914|page= 6|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120278166|access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref>
All but one match of Austin's first-class career came on New South Wales's tour of New Zealand in 1893–94, when he took 52 wickets in seven matches with his leg-spin, including 8 for 14 against Hawke's Bay.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/4/4072.html| title = Hawke's Bay v New South Wales 1893–94| publisher = CricketArchive|url-access=subscription | access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/New_South_Wales_in_New_Zealand_1893-94/f_New_South_Wales_Bowling.html| title = First-class bowling for New South Wales in New Zealand 1893–94| publisher = CricketArchive|url-access=subscription | access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref> In the 160-run victory over New Zealand he opened the bowling and bowled unchanged throughout both innings, taking 7 for 63 and 6 for 35, as well as top-scoring in New South Wales's first innings with 43.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/4/4078.html| title = New Zealand v New South Wales 1893–94| publisher = CricketArchive|url-access=subscription | access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref>
In 1896, Austin was selected in the New South Wales side to play in Sheffield Shield interstate games; however, he withdrew due to a family bereavement. By 1899, he was no longer an active cricketer.<ref name=AOS/>
Austin worked in the New South Wales Auditor-General's Department for 43 years. He died at his home in Randwick in 1932, aged 66, survived by his wife and a son.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Mr. S. W. Austin|journal=Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 September 1932|page= 6|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16911271|access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{ESPNcricinfo|id=4000}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Austin, Sydney}} Category:1866 births Category:1932 deaths Category:Australian cricketers Category:New South Wales cricketers Category:Cricketers from Sydney