Austin Thomas Eugene Punch (16 August 1894 – 25 August 1985) was an Australian cricketer. He played one first-class match for Tasmania in 1927/28 and 32 matches for New South Wales between 1919/20 and 1928/29.[1]

Austin Punch
Personal information
Full name
Austin Thomas Eugene Punch
Born(1894-08-16)16 August 1894
Sydney, Australia
Died25 August 1985(1985-08-25) (aged 91)
Sydney, Australia
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm leg-spin
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 33
Runs scored 1,717
Batting average 35.04
100s/50s 1/13
Top score 176
Balls bowled
Wickets 35
Bowling average 29.82
5 wickets in innings 1
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 5/33
Catches/stumpings 23/0
Source: Cricinfo, 5 June 2023

A tall and forceful batsman, strong on the front foot, Punch made his highest score of 176 against Otago when New South Wales toured New Zealand early in 1924;[2] New South Wales scored 649 on the second day of the three-day match.[3] His best bowling figures with his leg-breaks were 5 for 33 against Queensland earlier that season.[4]

In 1923 Punch, described in the Sydney Referee as "a finely-trained baritone of undoubted excellence", resigned his position with the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Company to become a professional singer.[5][6] He married Sylvia Byrne in the Sydney suburb of Neutral Bay in November 1934.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Austin Punch". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  2. ^ Wisden 1986, p. 1218.
  3. ^ "Otago v New South Wales 1923-24". Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  4. ^ "New South Wales v Queensland, 1923-24". Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  5. ^ "General Comments". News: 10. 23 November 1923.
  6. ^ "Cricketer-Singers". Referee: 11. 14 November 1923.
  7. ^ "Cricketer Weds". Sydney Morning Herald: 4. 22 November 1934.
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