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Lot Essay
THE AUSTRALIAN BAGGY GREEN CAP WORN BY IAN JOHNSON IN THE 1949-50 SOUTH AFRICA TOUR; THE SUCCESSOR TO LINDSAY HASSETT'S CAPTAINCY
Ian Johnson captained Australia in seventeen of his forty five Test matches. As an off-spinner in a country traditionally keener on wrist-spin, Johnson's bowling often infuriated batsmen. In the Second Test against England in 1946-47, he took six for 42 in 30.1 eight-ball overs. Despite a poor performance on the 1948 "Invincibles" Tour, Johnson reasserted himself on the 1949-50 South Africa Tour. Johnson was the leading Tour bowler with 79 wickets (16.82), including 18 wickets in the Test series. In the Third Test at Durban, when Australia were 236 behind on the first innings, Johnson took five for 34, and South Africa were bowled out for 99. Surprisingly, Australia won by five wickets and went on to win the series 4-0.
In 1953 Johnson succeeded Hassett as captain of Victoria. The following year he succeeded Hassett's captaincy again, this time for Australia. Of his nine Ashes Tests as Australian captain, in 1954-55 and 1956, Australia lost four and won two. The highlight of his reign as captain was the 3-0 defeat of the West Indies in Australia's first Test tour of the Caribbean in 1954-55. In 1958 Johnson became Secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club, where he remained for 26 years.
Ian Johnson captained Australia in seventeen of his forty five Test matches. As an off-spinner in a country traditionally keener on wrist-spin, Johnson's bowling often infuriated batsmen. In the Second Test against England in 1946-47, he took six for 42 in 30.1 eight-ball overs. Despite a poor performance on the 1948 "Invincibles" Tour, Johnson reasserted himself on the 1949-50 South Africa Tour. Johnson was the leading Tour bowler with 79 wickets (16.82), including 18 wickets in the Test series. In the Third Test at Durban, when Australia were 236 behind on the first innings, Johnson took five for 34, and South Africa were bowled out for 99. Surprisingly, Australia won by five wickets and went on to win the series 4-0.
In 1953 Johnson succeeded Hassett as captain of Victoria. The following year he succeeded Hassett's captaincy again, this time for Australia. Of his nine Ashes Tests as Australian captain, in 1954-55 and 1956, Australia lost four and won two. The highlight of his reign as captain was the 3-0 defeat of the West Indies in Australia's first Test tour of the Caribbean in 1954-55. In 1958 Johnson became Secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club, where he remained for 26 years.