Edinburgh-born cricketer’s prized possession for sale

A cricket ball presented to a Scot for his heroics winning the Ashes for England is expected to fetch up to £2,000 at auction.

The Test-winning ball was presented to Edinburgh-born Gregor MacGregor after the wicket keeper was the hero of England’s victory over Australia in August 1893.

MacGregor, the first Scot to play Test cricket for England, was instrumental as his team won the second Test at The Oval by an innings and 43 runs, which led to a 1-0 series win over their fierce rivals.

The 131-year-old leather ball, mounted on a silver stand modelled as wickets, on a marble base, will go under the hammer at Graham Budd Auctions’ Sports and Olympic Memorabilia auction on 19 June.

Experts expect the historic ball to attract bids of £1,500-2,000.

David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at Graham Budd Auctions, said: “Gregor MacGregor was a remarkable Scottish sportsman who played both cricket and rugby at the highest level in the 1890s.

“In one of his finest moments on the cricket field, MacGregor was instrumental as England won the second Test against Australia at the Oval in 1893. After the third test resulted in a draw, England won the series one-nil.

“This Ashes-winning ball will certainly appeal to collectors of cricketing history.”

MacGregor was born in Edinburgh in 1869, and educated at Uppingham College and Cambridge University, where he is commemorated as the first Scottish cricket Blue to play international cricket.

MacGregor became the first ever Test cricketer born in a non-Test playing nation when he made his Test debut for England against Australia in July 1890.

He played eight Tests for England, scoring 96 runs and — more importantly — catching out opponents 14 times and stumping three.

MacGregor, whose portrait hangs in the Pavilion at Lord’s, also played cricket for Scotland against Australia.

He also played rugby for Scotland from 1890-96. A full-back for the London Scottish team, he won three Home Nations Championships and two Triple Crowns playing for Scotland and was a member of the first ever Barbarians side in 1890.

The cricket ball, originally gifted by MacGregor to his brother Donald, has been in a private collection for over half a century.

The marble base features a white-metal plaque inscribed “Ball used during 3rd Innings England V Australia, Kennington Oval August 1893, England 1st Innings 483 – Australia 1st Innings 91, 2nd Innings 349”.