Sidney George Barnes was a Right-handed Australian batsman born on 5th June 1916 in Annandale, Australia. In all he had played 13 test matches for Australia. Post World War II era, he was regarded as one of the finest Australian batsmen of that time. Only into his second test which was against England, he scored a record 234 runs in December 1946 at Sydney. Don Bradman was the captain at that time who also scored similar runs. For the fifth wicket partnership, Don Bradman and Sidney Barnes scored 405 runs setting a world record.
His first class cricket debut came at the end of 1936-37 season during which he was selected for the team of New South Wales, and finally got named in the Australian team for Australia’s tour of England. He was also the part of the team which toured England in 1948 and won all the matches against England. The team was later referred to as ‘The Invincibles’. Barnes tried to make a comeback in the Australian side in the season 1951-52, but it was a highly criticized and unsuccessful move.
Barnes got involved in many controversies which were due to his eccentric behavior. It was because of this reason that he got excluded from the side in 1951-52. Later he also got involved in an incident where he went to the field in a suit and tie and was also carrying unnecessary items with him on the field. Though he had a reputation of unstable behavior, he was a shrewd businessman and made correct use of the opportunities provided by cricket to supplement his income through property development and trading. In the later years his paranoia worsened and he died in December 1973.
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Ciaran Lalor
Sid Barnes is listed under the title "Oldest living cricketers" but it says at the bottom of the article that he died in 1973. The photo has no bearing on the article because it is not of him.
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