Harold Stapleton, who turns 96 years and 165 days of age today, has become the longest-living First class player to represent New South Wales.
Harold, who was born in Kyogle on the 7th January, 1915, played just one First class match for New South Wales. This was against South Australia in Adelaide, in February, 1941. In it he scored a single in his only innings, but bowled economically, conceding just 38 runs in 10 eight ball overs, although he failed to take a wicket.
As this was the last First class match of the season, and Harold then enlisted in the Australian Army in April of that year and was not discharged until January 1946, he did not get the opportunity to play again.
Harold also represented New South Wales at Colts level, against Queensland, and the 2nd XI, against Western Australia and Victoria. He also played for Northern New South Wales against the touring Englishmen in 1936-37, and for Southern New South Wales against the touring Indians in 1947-48.
Harold played his First grade cricket in Sydney with St. George. A left-hand batman, he scored 2242 runs at 32.49, with three centuries and a top score of 146. A left-arm medium-pace bowler, he took 93 wickets at 17.56, with a best of 6-15. Harold replaces George Moore as the longest-living New South Wales cricketer. George was born in England in 1820, and migrated to Australia in 1852, residing in Maitland.
