Ernest Halliwell

Ernest Austin "Barberton" Halliwell (7 September 1864 – 2 October 1919) was a first-class cricketer, who played eight Test matches for South Africa between 1892 and 1902, including three as captain. He played as a wicket-keeper, and was the first to put raw steaks inside his gloves to protect his hands. At his peak, he was considered one of the best wicket-keepers in the world, and was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1905. He was particularly praised for standing close to the wickets, even against fast bowlers.

Life and career Ernest Halliwell was born on 7 September 1864 in Ealing, Middlesex, the son of Richard Halliwell, who was a wicket-keeper for Middlesex County Cricket Club. Though he played cricket as a boy in England, He rose to prominence two years later, when a South African team toured the British Isles. Halliwell's wicket-keeping was judged by his English peers as being among the best in the world, and he was compared in equal terms with Jack Blackham and Gregor MacGregor, the Australian and English Test wicket-keepers of the time. He captained the side once again in late 1902, against Australia, and South Africa once again suffered a heavy defeat.

Upon his return to England with another touring party in 1901, Halliwell garnered yet more praise, with some describing him as "the best wicket-keeper in the world." and according to Wisden, he "was seen at quite his best". After the South African tour of 1904, Halliwell was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year. He did not appear again for South Africa after that 1904 tour, considered by some to be a "veteran who had had his day".

Halliwell died at Johannesburg in October 1919 aged 55, after an operation for gangrene of the leg.