Ronald Graham Archer (25 October 1933 – 27 May 2007) was an Australian

Test cricket Test cricket is a form of first-class cricket played at international level between teams representing full member countries of the International Cricket Council (ICC). A match consists of four innings (two per team) and is scheduled to last fo ...

er. He was born in the inner Brisbane suburb of Highgate Hill, was educated at Brisbane's

Anglican Church Grammar School The Anglican Church Grammar School (ACGS), formerly the Church of England Grammar School and commonly referred to as Churchie, is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school for boys, located in East Brisbane, an inner suburb of Brisbane, ...

and played in 19

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from 1953 to 1956. He was the younger brother of

Ken Archer Kenneth Alan Archer (born 17 January 1928) is a former Australian cricketer and broadcaster. He was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School. An opening batsman, he played domestic first-class cricket for Queensland for 10 years, from 19 ...

, who also played Test cricket for Australia. A highly gifted all rounder, Archer's career was cruelly cut short by a serious knee injury in the one-off Test against Pakistan in

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in 1956 when he was just 23. A permanent fixture in the team from his debut against South Africa at

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in 1952–53 until stricken by injury in 1956 Archer was a stylish middle order batsman and robust opening bowler. When England toured Australia in 1954–55 he topped the Australian bowling averages with 13 wickets (16.53). In the 2nd Test at Sydney he took 3–12 and 3–53 and his 49 was the highest score in the Australian first innings. After a slow start he excelled on the West Indian tour of 1955, recording 84 in

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, 98 at

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and a maiden test hundred at Kingston to finish the series with 364 runs at 60.66. Showcasing his all round talent he took 18 wickets at 25.05 in England in 1956 but fell injured in

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

on the way home. He played in 1958–59 as a specialist batsmen but though he averaged over 40 for

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

his knee would not allow him to continue in the game. After retiring from the playing field he worked as a TV executive, became

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's Code of Behaviour Commissioner and officiated as an

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match referee. He was made a life member of the

Queensland Cricket Association Queensland Cricket, formerly known as the Queensland Cricket Association, is the governing body of Cricket in Queensland, Australia. Formed in 1876, it is directly responsible for the Queensland Bulls, Queensland Fire, Allan Border Field and Qu ...

for his services to cricket. Archer died of lung cancer in Brisbane on 27 May 2007.

Chairman Creagh O'Connor paid the following tribute "Ron Archer had a brief and very successful Test career which was tragically cut short by an injury of the type that modern sports medicine would today probably have overcome...But while his international playing career was too short, he still devoted an energetic and cheerful lifetime of support to the game that he loved, contributing right up until his final summer." On 12 June 1995, Archer was named a

Member of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

in recognition of services to the community, cricket and business. On 14 July 2000, Archer was awarded the

Australian Sports Medal The Australian Sports Medal is an award given to recognise achievements in Australian sport to commemorate Australian participation in major sporting events. Original recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, offi ...

for his cricketing achievements. In 2009 Archer was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Archer, Ron 1933 births 2007 deaths Australia Test cricketers Queensland cricketers Sportsmen from Queensland Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal Members of the Order of Australia People educated at Anglican Church Grammar School Cricketers from Brisbane Deaths from lung cancer in Australia