Craig Serjeant
{{Short description|Australian cricketer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Craig Serjeant
| image =
| fullname = Craig Stanton Serjeant
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|09|01|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nedlands, Western Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| heightft =
| heightinch =
| family =
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling =
| role = Batsman
| international = true
| internationalspan = 1977–1978
| country = Australia
| testdebutdate = 16 June
| testdebutyear = 1977
| testdebutagainst = England
| testcap = 279
| lasttestdate = 28 April
| lasttestyear = 1978
| lasttestagainst = West Indies
| odidebutdate = 2 June
| odidebutyear = 1977
| odidebutagainst = England
| odicap = 36
| lastodidate = 12 April
| lastodiyear = 1978
| lastodiagainst = West Indies
|club1 = Western Australia
|year1 = {{no wrap|1976/77–1982/83}}
| columns = 4
| column1 = Test
| matches1 = 12
| runs1 = 522
| bat avg1 = 23.72
| 100s/50s1 = 1/2
| top score1 = 124
| deliveries1 = –
| wickets1 = –
| bowl avg1 = –
| fivefor1 = –
| tenfor1 = –
| best bowling1 = –
| catches/stumpings1 = 13/–
| column2 = ODI
| matches2 = 3
| runs2 = 73
| bat avg2 = 24.33
| 100s/50s2 = 0/0
| top score2 = 46
| deliveries2 = –
| wickets2 = –
| bowl avg2 = –
| fivefor2 = –
| tenfor2 = –
| best bowling2 = –
| catches/stumpings2 = 1/–
| column3 = FC
| matches3 = 80
| runs3 = 4,030
| bat avg3 = 35.04
| 100s/50s3 = 9/20
| top score3 = 159
| deliveries3 = 6
| wickets3 = 0
| bowl avg3 = –
| fivefor3 = –
| tenfor3 = –
| best bowling3 = –
| catches/stumpings3 = 90/–
| column4 = LA
| matches4 = 22
| runs4 = 610
| bat avg4 = 32.10
| 100s/50s4 = 0/2
| top score4 = 65
| deliveries4 = –
| wickets4 = –
| bowl avg4 = –
| fivefor4 = –
| tenfor4 = –
| best bowling4 = –
| catches/stumpings4 = 13/–
| date = 12 December
| year = 2005
| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/7594.html
}}
Craig Stanton Serjeant (born 1 November 1951) is a former Australian cricketer who played in 12 Test matches and three One Day Internationals in 1977 and 1978.
Career
=First Class Debut=
Serjeant made his first class debut in 1976–77 for Western Australia. He enjoyed a successful season, scoring 730 runs at an average of 66.36, including 89 against New South Wales,{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36656.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} 82 against Pakistan,{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36712.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} 54 against Victoria,{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36797.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} 140 against Queensland{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110839576 |title=WA increases grip on Sheffield Shield. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=7 February 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36829.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} and 101 against the touring MCC.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36874.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
This run of strong scores, particularly against two touring sides, saw him selected in the Australian squad for the 1977 Ashes. He was one of a number of young batsmen in the squad, others including Kim Hughes and David Hookes. Australia only took two specialist openers, Rick McCosker and Ian Davis, and it was thought Serjeant could be a back up.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110729190 |title=Thomson goes in; Gilmour dropped. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=18 March 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110734288 |title=Chappell promises England surprises. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=22 April 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}
=1977 Ashes=
Australia's batting line up in the Centenary Test immediately prior to the tour had been Rick McCosker, Ian Davis, Gary Cosier, Greg Chappell, David Hookes and Doug Walters. Poor early tour form from Cosier and Davis saw opportunities open up in the test team for others. Serjeant was one of the better performing batsmen, with scores of 65 at Arundel,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110735293 |title=As the English like it. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 April 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} 55 against Kent{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36952.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110844250 |title=Serjeant registers a quick fifty. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=5 May 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=1 Section: Sporting Section |via=National Library of Australia}} and Surrey,{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/36/36963.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110845196 |title=Board vetoed meeting: Packer. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=11 May 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTING SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} 50 against Somerset{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37038.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} and 59 against Essex.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37140.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} Many of these runs were scored with Sergeant opening. Serjeant expressed a desire to bat down the order but Greg Chappell said "he has no say in the matter".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110844547 |title=Serjeant to continue opening. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 May 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}
Australia's Test preparations were thrown by the news of the World Series Cricket plans. Serjeant was one of only four players in the Australian squad who had not signed (the others being Kim Hughes, Gary Cosier and Geoff Dymock).{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110845031 |title=KERRY PACKER CRICKET TROUPE. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=10 May 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTING SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}
Serjeant was picked to play for Australia in two of the One-Day Internationals.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110848635 |title=Serjeant bats through pre-lunch session. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=3 June 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=25 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110848992 |title=BATS FAIL DISMALLY. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 June 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTING SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}
He was also selected to play in the first Test at Lord's, batting at four (Davis and Cosier were dropped, Richie Robinson was picked to open.){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110850474 |title=Robinson is in the Test squad. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=16 June 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTING SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} Serjeant top scored in Australia's first innings with 81 but failed in the second in a match that ended in a draw.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63190.html 1st test England v Australia Played at Lord's, London 16,17,18,20,21 June 1977]{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110851132 |title=Australia's fruitful day. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 June 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTING SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}
Serjeant's good form continued with 159 against Nottinghamshire, in one of Australia's few victories on the tour.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37217.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110852267 |title=Three Notts' wickets fall. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 June 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTING SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} He also made 55 against Yorkshire.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37257.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} He revealed he had been offered a place in World Series Cricket but declined. Serjeant also received an offer to play in Queensland but turned it down.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110857273 |title=Should never have signed, Thomson says. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 July 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}
Serjeant failed twice in the second Test{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37280.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110854735 |title=Hughes a Test candidate. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 July 1977 |accessdate=28 November 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} then endured a run of poor form in the tour games. He was overlooked for the third and fourth Tests.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110856962 |title=Serjeant dropped, Robinson back in. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 July 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}
Serjeant was recalled to the team for the fifth Test, where he replaced Ian Davis as opener. He scored a duck, in a rain shortened draw.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37507.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
=1977–78 vs India=
Serjeant enjoyed good domestic form at the beginning of the 1977–78 summer, scoring 129 against New South Wales,{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37595.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110876903 |title=Remarkable win to WA. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=9 November 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=40 |via=National Library of Australia}} 140 against Queensland{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37609.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} and 63 against South Australia.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37636.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
Serjeant was not only selected in Australia's team for the first Test, but also appointed vice captain under Bob Simpson.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110879612 |title=THE TEST TEAM. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=24 November 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=30 |via=National Library of Australia}} He scored a pair in the first Test{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37648.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} failed twice against India for WA,{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37664.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} then failed twice again in the second Test.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37685.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
Serjeant managed to keep his position for the next two Tests.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110884175 |title=Test team retained for the next two. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 December 1977 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} In the third he made 85, which he later described as his best innings.{{cite news |url= http://www.mid-day.com/sports/2012/jan/190112-sports-Craig-Serjeant-salutes-Australias-Class-of-77.htm |author= Sai Mohan |title= Craig Serjeant salutes Australia's Class of 77 |work= Mid Day |date=19 January 2012 |accessdate= 22 November 2012}} However he failed in the second innings, and in both digs in the 4th Test.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37752.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
He was dropped for the final Test of the series, but was kept on for the tour to the West Indies.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131710934 |title=Five dropped for next Test TOURING TEAM. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 January 1978 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}
=1977–78 West Indies Tour=
In the West Indies Serjeant scored 63 in his first tour game{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37864.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} but a duck in the second.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37885.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} This meant he was initially not picked in the first Test team but a last minute illness to Rick Darling saw him open – he scored 3 and 40, helping put on an opening partnership of 59 with fellow Western Australian Graeme Wood.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37893.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
Serjeant then made 114 against Barbados{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37906.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110887431 |title=A nice problem for Simpson. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 March 1978 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} but failed twice in the second test.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37912.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
Serjeant kept his place in the third Test. He made a duck in the first innings but scored 124 in the second, helping lead Australia to a famous victory.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63208.html The Frank Worrell Trophy – 3rd Test West Indies v Australia Played at Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana 31 March, 1,2,4,5 April 1978]{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110890992 |title=Australia wins third Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 April 1978 |accessdate=5 December 2014 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}
In the fourth Test Serjeant made 49 and 4{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37924.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}} then 26 and 32 not out in the fifth.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37944.html|title = The Home of CricketArchive}}
=Later career=
Serjeant struggled early during the 1978–79 season and was unable to regain his place in the Australian team. However, he performed solidly for Western Australia for the next few seasons.[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1527/f_Batting_by_Season.html Craig Serjeant season by season first class totals] He was appointed vice captain at the beginning of the 1981–82 season.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126852971 |title=CRICKET Serjeant WA's vice-captain. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 October 1981 |accessdate=11 December 2014 |page=46 |via=National Library of Australia}}
Post-cricket career
Serjeant graduated from the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) with a degree in science in 1972 and worked as a chemist at SCGH for 12 years. He then became a financial planner, working under former Australian bowler Sam Gannon from 1988 onwards.{{cite web |url= http://www.sfg.com.au/Our-people/Western-Australia/Craig-Serjeant.aspx |title= Biography |publisher= Shadforth Financial Group |accessdate= 22 November 2012 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://archive.today/20121230181207/http://www.sfg.com.au/Our-people/Western-Australia/Craig-Serjeant.aspx |archivedate= 30 December 2012 |df= dmy-all }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Cricinfo|id=7594}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Serjeant, Craig}}
Category:Australia Test cricketers
Category:Australia One Day International cricketers
Category:Western Australia cricketers
Category:People educated at Trinity College, Perth
Category:Australian cricketers
Category:Cricketers from Perth, Western Australia