A cricket ball presented to a Scot for his heroics winning the Ashes for England fetched more than £1,900 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, was sold at Graham Budd Auctions to a UK private bidder for £1920.
David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia, said: “Gregor MacGregor was a remarkable Scottish sportsman who played both cricket and rugby at the highest level in the 1890s.
“This Ashes winning ball came from one of his finest moments, when he was instrumental in helping England win the second Test against Australia at the Oval in 1893. After the third test resulted in a draw, England won the series one-nil.”
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.
He became the first ever Test cricketer born in a non-Test playing nation when he made his debut for England against Australia in July 1890.
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, had been in a private collection for over half a century.
