Craig Serjeant

Craig Serjeant
Personal information
Full name Craig Stanton Serjeant
Born 1 November 1951 (1951-11) (age 66)
Nedlands, Western Australia
Batting Right-hand bat
Bowling –
Career statistics
Competition Tests ODIs
Matches 12 3
Runs scored 522 73
Batting average 23.72 24.33
100s/50s 1/2 0/0
Top score 124 46
Balls bowled – –
Wickets – –
Bowling average – –
5 wickets in innings – –
10 wickets in match – n/a
Best bowling – –
Catches/stumpings 13/- 1/-
Source: Cricinfo[1], 12 December 2005

Craig Stanton Serjeant (born 1 November 1951 in Nedlands, Western Australia) is a former Australian cricketer who played in twelve Tests and three ODIs from 1977 to 1978.

Career

First Class Debut

Serjeant made his first class debut in 1976–77 for Western Australia. He enjoyed a successful season, scoring 730 runs at an average of 66.36, including 89 against New South Wales,[2] 82 against Pakistan,[3] 54 against Victoria,[4] 140 against Queensland[5][6] and 101 against the touring MCC.[7]

This run of strong scores, particularly against two touring sides, saw him selected in the Australian squad for the 1977 Ashes. He was one of a number of young batsmen in the squad, others including Kim Hughes and David Hookes. Australia only took two specialist openers, Rick McCosker and Ian Davis, and it was thought Serjeant could be a back up.[8][9]

1977 Ashes

Australia's batting line up in the test immediately prior to the tour had been Rick McCosker, Ian Davis, Gary Cosier, Greg Chappell, David Hookes and Doug Walters. Poor early tour form from Cosier and Davis saw opportunities open up in the test team for Sergeant, who was one of the better performing batsmen, with scores of 65 at Arundel,[10] 55 against Kent[11][12] and Surrey,[13][14] 50 against Somerset[15] and 59 against Essex.[16] Many of these runs were scored with Sergeant opening. Serjeant expressed a desire to bat down the order but Greg Chappell said "he has no say in the matter".[17]

Australia's test preparations were thrown by the news of the World Series Cricket plans. Serjeant was one of only four players in the Australian squad who had not signed.[18]

Serjeant was picked to play in two of the one day internationals.[19][20]

Test Debut

Serjeant was selected to play in the first test at Lord's, batting at four (Richie Robinson was picked to open.)[21] He top scored in Australia's first innings with 81 but failed in the second in a match that ended with a draw.[22][23]

Serjeant's good form continued with 159 against Nottinghamshire, in one of Australia's few victories on tour[24][25] and 55 against Yorkshire.[26] He revealed he had been offered a place in World Series Cricket but declined.

Serjeant failed twice in the second test[27][28] then endured a run of poor form in the tour games. He was overlooked for the third and fourth tests.[29]

During the tour Serjeant received an offer to play in Queensland but turned it down.[30]

Serjeant was recalled to the team for the fifth test, where he replaced Ian Davis as opener. He scored a duck.[31]

1977–78 vs India

Although Serjeant was not one of the initial players offered a contract to play World Series Cricket, his success in England saw an attempt to recruit him. Serjeant turned down the offer as he wanted to play establishment cricket.

Serjeant enjoyed good domestic form at the beginning of the 1977–78 summer, scoring 129 against New South Wales,[32][33] 140 against Queensland[34] and 63 against South Australia.[35]

He was not only selected in Australia's team for the first Test, but also appointed vice captain under Bob Simpson.[36] He scored a pair in the first Test[37] failed twice against India for WA,[38] then failed twice again in the second Test.[39]

Serjeant managed to keep his position for the next two Tests.[40] In the third he made 85, which he later described as his best innings.[41] However he failed in the second innings, and in both digs in the 4th Test.[42]

He was dropped for the final Test of the series, but was kept on for the tour to the West Indies.[43]

1977–78 West Indies Tour

In the West Indies Serjeant scored 63 in his first tour game[44] but a duck in the second.[45] This meant he was initially not picked in the first test team but a last minute illness to Rick Darling saw him open – he scored 3 and 40.[46] Serjeant then made 114 against Barbados[47][48] but failed twice in the second test.[49]

Serjeant kept his place in the third test. He made a duck in the first innings but scored 124 in the second, helping lead Australia to a famous victory.[50][51]

In the fourth test Serjeant made 49 and 4[52] then 26 and 32 not out in the fifth.[53]

Later career

Serjeant struggled early during the 1978–79 season and was unable to regain his place in the Australian team. However, he performed solidly for Western Australia for the next few seasons.[54] He was appointed vice captain at the beginning of the 1981–82 season.[55]

Post-cricket career

Serjeant graduated from Curtin University with a degree in science in 1972 and worked as a chemist at SCGH for 12 years. He then became a financial planner, working under former Australian bowler Sam Gannon from 1988 onwards.[56]

References

  1. ↑ "Craig Serjeant". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 December 2005.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ "WA increases grip on Sheffield Shield". The Canberra Times. 7 February 1977. p. 14. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ "Thomson goes in; Gilmour dropped". The Canberra Times. 18 March 1977. p. 18. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Chappell promises England surprises". The Canberra Times. 22 April 1977. p. 18. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "As the English like it". The Canberra Times. 29 April 1977. p. 16. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ "Serjeant registers a quick fifty". The Canberra Times. 5 May 1977. p. 1 Section: Sporting Section. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ "Board vetoed meeting: Packer". The Canberra Times. 11 May 1977. p. 1 Section: SPORTING SECTION. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "Serjeant to continue opening". The Canberra Times. 6 May 1977. p. 27. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ↑ "KERRY PACKER CRICKET TROUPE". The Canberra Times. 10 May 1977. p. 1 Section: SPORTING SECTION. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ↑ "Serjeant bats through pre-lunch session". The Canberra Times. 3 June 1977. p. 25. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ↑ "BATS FAIL DISMALLY". The Canberra Times. 6 June 1977. p. 1 Section: SPORTING SECTION. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ↑ "Robinson is in the Test squad". The Canberra Times. 16 June 1977. p. 1 Section: SPORTING SECTION. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ↑ 1st test England v Australia Played at Lord's, London 16,17,18,20,21 June 1977
  23. ↑ "Australia's fruitful day". The Canberra Times. 20 June 1977. p. 1 Section: SPORTING SECTION. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ↑
  25. ↑ "Three Notts' wickets fall". The Canberra Times. 28 June 1977. p. 1 Section: SPORTING SECTION. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ↑
  27. ↑
  28. ↑ "Hughes a Test candidate". The Canberra Times. 14 July 1977. p. 24. Retrieved 28 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ↑ "Serjeant dropped, Robinson back in". The Canberra Times. 28 July 1977. p. 22. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. ↑ "Should never have signed, Thomson says". The Canberra Times. 29 July 1977. p. 18. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  31. ↑
  32. ↑
  33. ↑ "Remarkable win to WA". The Canberra Times. 9 November 1977. p. 40. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  34. ↑
  35. ↑
  36. ↑ "THE TEST TEAM". The Canberra Times. 24 November 1977. p. 30. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  37. ↑
  38. ↑
  39. ↑
  40. ↑ "Test team retained for the next two". The Canberra Times. 23 December 1977. p. 14. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  41. ↑ Sai Mohan (19 January 2012). "Craig Serjeant salutes Australia's Class of 77". Mid Day. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  42. ↑
  43. ↑ "Five dropped for next Test TOURING TEAM". The Canberra Times. 21 January 1978. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  44. ↑
  45. ↑
  46. ↑
  47. ↑
  48. ↑ "A nice problem for Simpson". The Canberra Times. 14 March 1978. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  49. ↑
  50. ↑ The Frank Worrell Trophy – 3rd Test West Indies v Australia Played at Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana 31 March, 1,2,4,5 April 1978
  51. ↑ "Australia wins third Test". The Canberra Times. 6 April 1978. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 5 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  52. ↑
  53. ↑
  54. ↑ Craig Serjeant season by season first class totals
  55. ↑ "CRICKET Serjeant WA's vice-captain". The Canberra Times. 21 October 1981. p. 46. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  56. ↑ "Biography". Shadforth Financial Group. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
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