Bob Holland - the epitome of a good Aussie bloke
Cricket NSW | March 06, 2023
“Dutchy loved his family – he lived for them and his cricket and was the epitome of a good Aussie bloke. “
These are the words of former Australia Test opener Rick McCosker in describing former Australian Leg Spinner Bob Holland.
Bob “Dutchy” Holland made his first-class debut for NSW in season 1978/799 at the age of 32 and at the time of his retirement in 1987 he’d played 60 Sheffield Shield games for the Baggy Blues.
Holland took 107 Shield wickets at an average of 32.38 and his best figures 9 for 83 against South Australia. All up in Shield cricket he took seven 5 wicket hauls and one 10 wicket haul.
In 1984 playing for New South Wales against the touring West Indies Holland took 7 wickets at the SCG and at the age of 38 he was picked to play for Australia in the First Test against the might of the Windies at the Gabba.
It was the 5th Test of the series at the SCG where Holland produced a match-winning performance taking 6 for 54 in the first innings and 4 for 90 in the second innings. Match figures of 10 for 144 as Australia won by an innings and 55.
Holland went on the 1985 Ashes Tour to England and he took 5 for 68 in England 2nd innings at the home of cricket, Lords, as Australia won their only test of the series by 4 wickets.
All up Bob Holland played 95 first-class games capturing 316 wickets at an average of 31.19.
Australian Test Cap 326, Bob Holland who passed away 17 September 2017 at the age of 70 will always be remembered with great fondness as a Baggy Blue.
Bob Holland Highlights