April 25 marks the birthday of Charles Burgess Fry, former captain of
the England cricket team, who also played football for his country.
Besides, he once held a world record in long jump AND he was an author,
journalist and a politician.
Fry played 26 Test matches for
England and never lost a match as a captain of his side but to label him
as only a great cricketer would be injustice to many talents of the
Briton.
Apart from being an accomplished cricketer, he was a world-record holder in long jump, an international footballer, a scholar and a writer. Yes, he was that good! Precisely, the reason why many call him the greatest sportsperson.
CHAMPION CRICKETER
Apart from his successful exploits at the international stage, Fry also held an incredible first-class record. A right-handed batsman, Fry played mostly for Sussex, who he captained as well. In almost 400 matches, he scored over 30,000 runs with an impressive career total of 94 centuries and boasted a career average of over 50.
He experienced his best in 1901, when he scored 3,147 runs at an average of 78. In the same year, Fry slammed six first-class centuries on the trot, a world-record still unbroken. His partnership with KS Ranjitsinhji for Sussex is also part of his successful domestic career.
WORLD LONG JUMP RECORD
While he had a successful career for England, Fry earned accolades at the world stage much before making his international debut. In 1893, he equalled the world record for the long jump with a leap of 23 feet 6 and 1?2 inches. Fry who had little formal training in the sport is said to be smoking a cigar before the event.
FRY THE FOOTBALLER
After athletics, Fry decided to try out his hands at football. In 1900, he signed for Southampton and made his debut against Tottenham Hotspur. In the following season, Fry played in the FA Cup final against Sheffield United, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Southampton lost the replay 2-1.
Impressed with his performance as a defender, Fry was picked for the England national team and made his debut against Ireland. He featured in only one international match and ended his footballing career in 1903 due to injury with Portsmouth.
ACADEMIC STAR
Fry also had a bright academic career. After completing his school, he took a scholarship to Oxford, where he gained a first-class honours degree in Classic Moderations. At Oxford, Fry participated in numerous sporting events including boxing, golf, swimming, tennis, javelin thrower and sculling.
Fry's list of achievements doesn't end there. He also stood as Liberal candidate for Parliament in Brighton. In 1908, he ran a naval training ship with his wife as the director. In the middle, he took up the job of a cricket journalist for extra income. Fry also worked as a deputy and speechwriter for the Indian delegation at the League of Nations.
Fry passed away in 1956 aged 84 leaving behind a legacy almost impossible to scale.
Apart from being an accomplished cricketer, he was a world-record holder in long jump, an international footballer, a scholar and a writer. Yes, he was that good! Precisely, the reason why many call him the greatest sportsperson.
CHAMPION CRICKETER
Apart from his successful exploits at the international stage, Fry also held an incredible first-class record. A right-handed batsman, Fry played mostly for Sussex, who he captained as well. In almost 400 matches, he scored over 30,000 runs with an impressive career total of 94 centuries and boasted a career average of over 50.
He experienced his best in 1901, when he scored 3,147 runs at an average of 78. In the same year, Fry slammed six first-class centuries on the trot, a world-record still unbroken. His partnership with KS Ranjitsinhji for Sussex is also part of his successful domestic career.
WORLD LONG JUMP RECORD
While he had a successful career for England, Fry earned accolades at the world stage much before making his international debut. In 1893, he equalled the world record for the long jump with a leap of 23 feet 6 and 1?2 inches. Fry who had little formal training in the sport is said to be smoking a cigar before the event.
FRY THE FOOTBALLER
After athletics, Fry decided to try out his hands at football. In 1900, he signed for Southampton and made his debut against Tottenham Hotspur. In the following season, Fry played in the FA Cup final against Sheffield United, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Southampton lost the replay 2-1.
Impressed with his performance as a defender, Fry was picked for the England national team and made his debut against Ireland. He featured in only one international match and ended his footballing career in 1903 due to injury with Portsmouth.
ACADEMIC STAR
Fry also had a bright academic career. After completing his school, he took a scholarship to Oxford, where he gained a first-class honours degree in Classic Moderations. At Oxford, Fry participated in numerous sporting events including boxing, golf, swimming, tennis, javelin thrower and sculling.
Fry's list of achievements doesn't end there. He also stood as Liberal candidate for Parliament in Brighton. In 1908, he ran a naval training ship with his wife as the director. In the middle, he took up the job of a cricket journalist for extra income. Fry also worked as a deputy and speechwriter for the Indian delegation at the League of Nations.
Fry passed away in 1956 aged 84 leaving behind a legacy almost impossible to scale.
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