Ken Mackay

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = Australian
country = Australia
country abbrev = AUS
name = Ken Mackay
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Left-hand bat
bowling style = Right-arm medium
tests = 37
test runs = 1507
test bat avg = 33.48
test 100s/50s = 0/13
test top score = 89
test balls = 5792
test wickets = 50
test bowl avg = 34.42
test 5s = 2
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 6/42
test catches/stumpings = 16/0
FCs = 201
FC runs = 10823
FC bat avg = 43.64
FC 100s/50s = 23/59
FC top score = 223
FC balls =
FC wickets = 251
FC bowl avg = 33.31
FC 5s = 7
FC 10s = 0
FC best bowling = 6/42
FC catches/stumpings = 84/0
debut date = 21 June
debut year = 1956
last date = 25 January
last year = 1963
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6445.html

Kenneth Donald Mackay (born October 24, 1925, Windsor, Queensland, died June 13, 1982, Point Lookout, Queensland) was an Australian cricketer who played in 37 Tests from 1956 to 1963.

Universally known as "Slasher", an ironic reference to his often backs-to-the-wall batting style, he matured as a test player to become an unobtrusive but often vital member of Richie Benaud's team which brought Australia out of its late-fifties doldrums in two remarkable series, against the West Indies in 1960/61 and England in 1961. Mackay made important contributions in both, most notably his famous last-wicket stand with Lindsay Kline in the 4th test against the West Indies in Adelaide which forced a remarkable draw.

Mackay teamed with Benaud and Alan Davidson to provide a high quality, flexible core of all-rounders which very often proved the difference for Australia in tight situations. While lacking the talent of the fast left-arm swing of Davidson and the leg-spin of Benaud, his economical, nagging right-arm medium pace (a cricketing "switch-hitter", he batted left-handed) was often strategically useful and occasionally, especially in Pakistan and India, destructive. He was the second-most economic of significant Australian test bowlers, surpassed in miserliness only by Arthur Mailey.

A prolific run-scorer at first-class level, he was more of a bit-part player than a front-line batsman, but averaged healthily for an all-rounder and for many years had the distinction, until passed by Shane Warne (who played many more tests), of scoring the most test runs of any Australian without scoring a century. Many of his 13 test half-centuries were made in crucial situations, often batting with the tail.

Always highly regarded by team-mates and opponents, his popularity with the public grew remarkably late in his career, especially after his Adelaide heroics. A testimonial (Mackay, like most Australian cricketers of the time, was an amateur) with the slogan 'A Bob in for The Slasher' raised the then substantial sum of five thousand pounds, and a street and oval were named in his honour. His autobiography, 'Slasher Opens Up' is regarded as one of the very best cricketer's books, as much for its humour and honesty than its heroics. Mackay died early in 1982, but as Jack Pollard wrote in his definitive 'Australian Cricket, the Game and the Players', "while cricket is played in Australia, he will be fondly remembered".

He was awarded a MBE for his services to cricket in 1962.