Frank Misson, a 85-year-old former pacer for New South Wales and Australia, passed suddenly.
During his one-year international career, he participated in five Test matches. Achilles ailment brought it to an early stop. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he scored his highest figures of 4/58 against the West Indies. This match followed the first-ever drawn Test match in the red-ball game’s history.
He represented New South Wales in 71 first-class matches, which is a huge increase, and he ended up with 177 dismissals at an average of 31.13 throughout a career that ran from 1958/59 to 1963/64.
Frank Misson was a gifted athlete when he was younger. Interestingly, he had trained under Australian middle-distance coach Percy Cerutty, who also coached Herb Elliott, the 1960 Olympic gold medallist in the 1500m event.
Ian Chappell, a former captain of Australia, reportedly talked about Misson’s unbelievable commitment to fitness in order to get ready for the 1961 Ashes tour.
“In 1961, the Australian squad took a boat to England, but Misson refused to give up on his training regimen. Several of the less active players seated in the bar watched Misson dash past the window as he ran laps around the deck. They decided to make Misson’s fitness regimen more difficult by putting deck chairs in his way, possibly because they were embarrassed by his intense workouts. The bar rats gave up and let Misson to exercise in peace after he successfully navigated the first set of barriers and then another layer of seats, according to Chappell, who was quoted.
There’s little doubt that if it wasn’t for injury, he would’ve played many more times: Germon
Following Misson’s death, NSW Chief Executive Lee Germon gave tribute to the late man. Additionally, Germon claimed that Misson would have played a lot more cricket had it not been for the terrible accident.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Frank’s friends and family, particularly to everyone who had a playing relationship with him while he was a member of the Australian and NSW men’s teams. Ironically, Frank’s career was cut short by injury at a time when sports science was not widely accepted, despite his emphasis on fitness, nutrition, and good health. “There’s no doubt that if it weren’t for injury, he would have played many more times for his state and country. His five Test caps are recognition of his talent and determination,” said Germon.
Also Read: On the occasion of Shane Warne’s 55th birthday, Pat Cummins pay poetic homage to his legacy
Frank Misson, his son, carried on his father’s legacy of promoting physical well-being by serving as the NSW side’s and the Australian men’s team’s fitness advisor from 1998 to 2000 and the early 2000s, respectively.
India
