Clarrie Grimmett's South Australian Cricket Cap, 1924

Clarence Victor 'Clarrie' Grimmett's South Australian Cricket Cap, 1924, with the Saca emblem embroidered to front. Fine condition and attractively framed. Although born in New Zealand, Grimmett played most of his cricket in Australia. He is thought by many to be one of the finest early spin bowlers, and usually credited as the developer of the flipper. After marrying a Victorian, he moved to Melbourne, where he played first-class cricket for Victoria. He moved to South Australia in 1923, but it is for his performances in Test cricket for the Australian cricket team that he is best remembered. Grimmett played 37 Tests between 1924 and 1936, taking 216 wickets at an average of just 24.21 runs apiece. He took two five wicket hauls on debut against England in Sydney in 1925. He took 513 wickets in his 79 Sheffield Shield matches. Grimmett was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1931, the same year as Donald Bradman. He died in Adelaide in 1980, but was posthumously inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 1996 as one of the ten inaugural members. On 30 September 2009, Clarrie Grimmett was inducted into the Icc Cricket Hall of Fame. Provenance: Bought by the current vendor at a Cromwell's (Sydney) Auction in July 2003 (Lot 702) where it was accompanied by a letter (still present) from Vic Grimmett, the son, identifying himself as the owner.