Basil Totman

{{short description|New Zealand cricketer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2016}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Basil Totman

| image =

| country =

| fullname =

| birth_date = 1874

| birth_place = Finchingfield, Essex, England

| death_date = 2 March {{death year and age|1953|1874}}

| death_place = Auckland, New Zealand

| batting =

| bowling =

| role =

| club1 = Auckland

| year1 = 1897/98

| date = 25 June

| year = 2016

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/38673.html CricInfo

}}

Basil Totman (1874 – 2 March 1953) was an English-born New Zealand cricketer. He played one first-class match for Auckland during the 1897–98 season.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/38673.html Basil Totman], CricInfo. Retrieved 25 June 2016.

Totman was born at Finchingfield in the English county of Essex in 1874. His family migrated to New Zealand, arriving at Auckland on SS Lutterworth in January 1884.Imports, Auckland Star, vol. XXIII, issue 4257, 18 January 1884, p. 2. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18840118.2.3.3 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.)McCarron A (2010) New Zealand Cricketers 1863/64–2010, p. 130. Cardiff: The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. {{isbn|978 1 905138 98 2}} ([https://archive.acscricket.com/cricketers_series/new_zealand_cricketers_1863-64_2010/index.html Available online] at the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 5 June 2023.) He played club cricket for Parnell Cricket Club in the city and was considered "well-known" as a club cricketer.Football, Auckland Star, vol. XXVII, issue 114, 16 May 1896, p. 2 (supplement). ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18960516.2.48.15.4 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.)Outdoor sports, The Observer, vol. XV, issue 879, 26 October 1895, p. 18. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18951026.2.38 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) He led the club's batting averages in 1996–7Parnell Cricket Club, Auckland Star, vol. XXVIII, issue 214, 15 September 1897, p. 2. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18970915.2.6 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) and towards the end of the following season was described by the Auckland Star as a "promising young cricketer"Cricket, Auckland Star, vol. XXIX, issue 66, 19 March 1898, p. 2 (supplement). ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18980319.2.73.9.4 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) and as "a promising Auckland bat" by the New Zealand Herald.Local and general news, New Zealand Herald, vol. XXXV, issue 10706, 21 March 1898, p. 4. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18980321.2.25 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.)

He made his only first-class appearance for Auckland during March 1898, opening the batting for the representative team against Hawke's Bay, although Trotman only made scores of two and one in his two innings.[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/22/22997/22997.html Basil Trotman], CricketArchive. Retrieved 25 August 2024. {{subscription}} His fielding was described as "patchy" and his debut described as one which "did not come off at all".Cricket, Auckland Star, vol. XXIX, issue 72, 26 March 1898, p. 2 (supplement). ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18980326.2.74.14.2 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) The following season he spent time in Christchurch, playing for the Lancaster Park club where he scored "well",Cricket, Auckland Star, vol. XXIX, issue 274, 19 November 1898, p. 2 (supplement). ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18981119.2.54.7.2 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) before returning to spend time training in England in 1899.Cricket, The Press, vol. LVI, issue 10326, 21 April 1899, p. 2. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18990421.2.14 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.)

Totman married Hattie Whitehead in 1905.Personal items, New Zealand Herald, vol. XLII, issue 13015, 4 November 1905, p. 6. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19051104.2.60 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) In 1909 he became the owner of a boot and shoe shop in HamiltonPublic notice, Waikato Argus, vol. XXVI, issue 4108, 1 June 1909, p. 3. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19090601.2.22.2 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) and was active in flower show circles.Auckland Flower Show, Waikato Argus, vol. XXXIV, issue 5474, 3 December 1913, p. 4. ([https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIGUS19131203.2.25 Available online] at Papers Past. Retrieved 25 August 2024.) He died at Auckland in March 1953.