Ralph Spraggon

Ralph Dew Spraggon (13 August 1872 – 11 September 1939) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played six first-class matches for Otago between 1894 and 1897.[1]

Ralph Spraggon
Personal information
Full name
Ralph Dew Spraggon
Born(1872-08-13)13 August 1872
Dunedin, New Zealand
Died11 September 1939(1939-09-11) (aged 67)
Palmerston North, New Zealand
RoleBatsman
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1894/95–1896/97Otago
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 6
Runs scored 125
Batting average 13.88
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 40*
Catches/stumpings 3/–
Source: Cricinfo, 8 August 2023

Life and career

Spraggon was born in Dunedin, but his family moved to England when he was a boy, and he was educated at the City of London School. He then returned to New Zealand and took up a position in Dunedin as a commercial traveller for D. Benjamin & Co, importers.[2][3]

Described as "a dashing batsman and a first-class fieldsman",[4] Spraggon made his highest score of 40 not out against Canterbury in February 1897, when, batting at number nine, he "hit out lustily" in a "brilliantly played innings" that helped Otago to win the match after trailing on the first innings.[5][6] In Otago's match against the touring Australian team earlier that season his 36, batting at number 12 in the Otago XV, was the highest score on either side.[7]

Spraggon was transferred by D. Benjamin & Co to Wellington in 1898.[8][9] He married Maud Carnell in Napier in February 1903.[10] Shortly afterwards he transferred to the National Provident and Friendly Societies Department in Wellington, where he worked for 20 years.[11] After some time in Napier, where he suffered serious injuries in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake, he moved to Palmerston North, working for the Labour Department.[2] After a few months of illness he died in Palmerston North in September 1939, aged 67, leaving a widow and their son.[2]

References
  1. "Ralph Spraggon". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  2. "Obituary". Manawatu Standard: 2. 25 September 1939.
  3. "Late Mr. R. D. Spraggon". Manawatu Standard: 2. 26 September 1939.
  4. "Cricket Retrospect". Evening Star: 13. 20 February 1937.
  5. "Otago v Canterbury: Third Day". Star: 5. 27 February 1897.
  6. "Canterbury v Otago 1896-97". CricketArchive. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  7. "Otago v Australians 1896-97". CricketArchive. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  8. "Cricket". Evening Star: 2. 5 March 1898.
  9. "Cricket". Otago Daily Times: 4. 16 November 1933.
  10. "[untitled]". New Zealand Mail: 27. 25 February 1903.
  11. "Personal Matters". Evening Post: 8. 18 December 1925.
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