William Cooper

William Henry Cooper (11 September 1849 – 5 April 1939) was an English-born Australian cricketer who played in two Test matches, one in each of the 1881–82 and 1884–85 seasons. He took six wickets on debut in the second innings against England in Melbourne in January 1882.

Life and career Born in Kent, Cooper migrated to Australia with his family when he was eight years old. He did not start playing competitive cricket until the age of 27, when his doctor suggested he take more exercise. A year later he took 7 for 37 against New South Wales. His daughter was ladies' champion at South Melbourne.

Cooper died after a short illness in a hospital in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern in April 1939, aged 89. At the time he was Australia's oldest living Test cricketer. His great-grandson, Paul Sheahan, also played Test cricket for Australia.