John Waddington (South African cricketer)

John Edward Waddington (30 December 1918 – 24 November 1985) was a South African first-class cricketer. He was a prolific wicket taker for Griqualand West and was the South African Cricket Annual Cricketer of the Year in 1953.

He was the second-youngest South African first-class cricketer, having made his debut for Griqualand West in 1934 at the age of 15 years 320 days.[1] (Dudley Theophilus had been 11 days younger on his debut in 1927.) He continued playing first-class cricket until 1958-59.

In 1952-53 he set a record for the Currie Cup when he took 53 wickets in a season, at an average of 16.85, in six matches. In four consecutive matches he took 43 wickets: 7 for 65 and 6 for 39 against North-Eastern Transvaal in Pretoria, 6 for 84 and 4 for 52 against Border in Kimberley, 7 for 101 and 2 for 65 against Transvaal in Kimberley, and 6 for 98 and 5 for 72 against North-Eastern Transvaal in Kimberley. During the season he also became the first bowler to take 200 wickets in the Currie Cup.[2] It was also his most prolific season with the bat, with 295 runs at 42.14.[3]

He captained Griqualand West in 1949-50 and 1950-51, then from 1954-55 until his retirement. In his last match, in 1958-59, he took 8 for 64 against Orange Free State in Kimberley. His best innings figures were 9 for 105 against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth in 1954-55.

He was selected for two matches for the South African XI against the touring Australians in 1949-50, but he never played Test cricket.