Frank Misson, former Australia and New South Wales pacer passes away aged 85 after a prolonged battle with illness.
Frank Misson played five Tests across the famous 1960-61 home series against the West Indies. He was included in the 1961 Ashes side but an Achilles injury cut short his career.
Frank Missson is often the gold standard for physical fitness in his time. He was one of the finest athletes of his generation. Misson was training under the legendary Percy Cerutty, who helped Herb Elliott to Olympic gold.
All In all, Misson played 71 first-class matches, mostly for New South Wales, and finished with 177 first-class wickets at 31.13.
Misson consequently carried that fitness and athletics background into his cricket career. He announced his arrival in style by scalping 6 wickets on debut as a 20-year-old. His performances earned him a call to the Australian second xi. By the next year he was in the senior side.
He made his debut against the West Indies in the second Test in Melbourne following the tied Test in Brisbane. Misson played two more Tests in the five-match series before being selected on the 1961 Ashes tour.
Ian Chappell penned Misson’s insane training regime for that tour.
“The 1961 Australian team travelled to England by boat, but Misson was not to be denied his training regime. As he ran laps of the deck some of them saw Misson flash past the window. Perhaps ashamed of those workouts, they decided to complicate his exercise regime by placing deck chairs in his path. When Misson hurdled the first set of obstacles and did the same to yet another layer of chairs, the bar rats relented and left him to train in peace.”
NSW chief executive Lee Germon paid tribute to Misson following his passing.
“We pass on our sincerest condolences to Frank’s family and friends. Especially those that played with him as part of the NSW and the Australian Men’s Team.