Robert John Inverarity (born 31 January 1944) is a former Australian cricketer who played six Test matches. A right-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spin bowler in his playing career, Inverarity was also one of the enduring captains in the Australian Sheffield Shield during the late 1970s and early 1980s, captaining both Western Australia and South Australia.
Inverarity was chair of selectors for Cricket Australia from 2011 to 2014.
Cricket career overview
Inverarity played in six Tests between 1968 and 1972 and played first class cricket for Western Australia, South Australia and Australia over a period of twenty-three years between 1962 and 1985. As a state player, he captained Western Australia to Sheffield Shield glory four times in five years. When his teaching career took him to Adelaide his new team of South Australia went on to win the Shield in 1981–82. Batting at the Adelaide Oval he was involved in one of the most unusual "dismissals" in cricket history. After being clean-bowled for a duck by Greg Chappell – the ball deviating in mid-air – he was recalled to bat by umpire Colin Egar who signalled dead-ball, literally; the ball had deflected off a now-deceased unlucky local sparrow. After retiring from cricket in 1985 (aged 41) he continued teaching, before going into coaching on the English county scene with Kent and Warwickshire.
To recognise his contribution to the state team, the Western Australian Cricket Association named a stand at the WACA cricket ground in his honour. The stand, built in 1970 for the WACA's inaugural Test and initially named the "Test Stand", was later renamed to the "Inverarity-Western Underwriters Stand".
In 2011, Inverarity was named as the new full-time chairman of selectors for Cricket Australia, beating a high-profile field including Geoff Lawson, Tom Moody, Rod Marsh and chair Trevor Hohns.
Teaching
Inverarity began his career as a teacher during the twilight years of his cricketing career. He taught mathematics at various prestigious independent schools (including stints at Tonbridge School and King's College School in the United Kingdom) and also served as Vice-Principal at Pembroke School (1981–1988) in Adelaide and Guildford Grammar School, and Headmaster of Hale School (1989–2003) in Perth. In 2001, the new music and drama centre at Hale was named in his honour – The John Inverarity Music and Drama Centre. In 2006, he was appointed warden of St George's College, a residential college of the University of Western Australia. He was also appointed as a member of the University Senate by the Governor Ken Michael.
Family
Inverarity’s father was Merv Inverarity, a Western Australian first-class cricketer during the 1930s and '40s and later senior administrator within the Western Australian Cricket Association.
Inverarity's daughter Alison Inverarity was an Olympic high jumper, representing Australia at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
Cricket biography
Early First-class cricket
Inverarity made his first class debut in 1962–3. He made 127 runs at 25.40. In 1963–64 he made 517 runs at 28.72, including 42 against NSW. In 1964–65 he made 385 at 35.00 with a top score of 144. During these seasons, he occasionally bowled but took no wickets.
In 1965–66 he made 549 runs at 39.21, including a career high of 177, and took 2 wickets at 26. In 1966–67 he made 183 runs at 36.60, with a top score of 114 and took no wickets.
In 1967–68 Inverarity made 779 runs at 59.92 and took 4 wickets. Highlights included 82 against Victoria. This consistent form led to his selection on the 1968 Ashes.
Test player
In England Inverarity impressed batting nearly four hours in a tour game against Leicestershire to make 67. Other efforts included 70 against Northamptonshire Inverarity was made 12th man for the first test. He made his test debut in the fourth test, when Bill Lawry was injured. He scored 8 and 34 in a drawn game that ensured Australia kept the Ashes. (His first scoring shot was a boundary).
Inverarity kept his spot for the fifth test at the Oval. In the first innings he scored 1 in the first innings, then played his most famous test match innings: 56 off 253 balls, having opened the innings he was last man out, failing to save the game, with only minutes left in the match. This squared the series 2-2. On the tour overall he scored 645 runs at 24.80 and took two wickets.