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Digger Robertson

1861 – 1938

Australian cricketer, born 1861

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About Digger Robertson

Lived 1861 – 1938 (aged 76). Digger Robertson was an Australian cricketer.

William "Digger" Roderick Robertson (6 October 1861 – 24 June 1938) was an Australian cricketer who played in one Test match in 1885.

A native of the New South Wales town of Deniliquin, near the Victoria border, Digger Robertson was a right-handed batsman with a leg break bowling style. He made his first-class debut for Victoria against the English touring team in November 1884, taking 3 for 36 and 5 for 46. After the Australian team for the First Test in December refused to play in the Second Test, Robertson was one of eight Test debutants selected. However, he took no wickets, Australia lost, and along with four of the other debutants, he played no further Test cricket.

After an altercation with his East Melbourne captain Harry Boyle, Robertson moved to San Francisco, where he played for three turn-of-the-century California Cricket Association league clubs. In 1898 he captained the Bohemia Cricket Club to victory in the California Cricket Association championship. He scored one of the first centuries in California cricket history and played against the 1896 Australian Test side at the Presidio ground. He returned to Australia in 1899, and played successfully for many years for St Kilda Cricket Club in Melbourne. He died in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton at the age of 76.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
William Roderick Robertson

People in Digger Robertson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Digger Robertson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Digger Robertson?

Australian cricketer, born 1861

When was Digger Robertson born?

Digger Robertson was born on 6 October 1861 in Deniliquin.

When did Digger Robertson die?

Digger Robertson died on 24 June 1938.

What was Digger Robertson's occupation?

Digger Robertson was a cricketer.

What nationality was Digger Robertson?

Digger Robertson was Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Digger Robertson

· Wikidata: Q8017672

· DBpedia: Digger Robertson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Digger Robertson. https://biography.guide/digger-robertson/

MLA: "Digger Robertson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/digger-robertson/.

Chicago: "Digger Robertson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/digger-robertson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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