Cricket career
As Tasmania didn't compete in the Sheffield Shield at the time of his cricketing career, Townley's appearances for his state were limited to matches against touring sides such as the Marylebone Cricket Club and South African national cricket team, South Africa as well as out of season first-class fixtures against other Australian states. A legbreak bowler, Townley took 36 wickets at 35.52 in first-class matches. His claim to fame as a cricketer was dismissingPolitical career
Like his younger brother Athol Townley, Athol, the Australian Minister for Defence (Australia), Minister for Defence from 1958 to 1963, Townley went into politics. He joined the Tasmanian House of Assembly at the 1946 Tasmanian state election, 1946 election as an Independent, representing Division of Denison (state), Denison. The Liberal Party installed Townley as their leader for the 1950 Tasmanian state election, 1950 election but lost to incumbent Premier Robert Cosgrove, despite achieving a 9.8% swing. With the Liberals regaining two seats which had been held by Independents since 1948, Labor stayed in power only thanks to the support of the remaining Independent, Bill Wedd. Townley also led the Liberals into the 1955 Tasmanian state election, 1955 election and picked up a seat to leave the House of Assembly with a deadlock as both parties had 15 seats out of a possible 30 in the assembly. Cosgrove however remained as Premiers of Tasmania, Premier of Tasmania. On 30 June 1965, Townley resigned from parliament, having never failed to defend his seat in an election.See also
* List of Tasmanian representative cricketersReferences
External links
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Townley, Rex 1904 births 1982 deaths Australian cricketers Tasmania cricketers Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Tasmania Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly Australian sportsperson-politicians Leaders of the Opposition in Tasmania 20th-century Australian politicians Cricketers from Hobart