Ken Smalley Obituary, Death – Bendigo United Cricket Club Member Has Sadly Passed Away. The Bendigo United Cricket Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ken Smalley. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Smalley family on behalf of everyone at BUCC. Ken was not only a great Bendigo cricketer but also a true gentleman whose presence will be genuinely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Please enjoy this summary of his cricket career with BUCC (with thanks to Darren Rodda). Ken Smalley was a brilliant right arm fast bowler, come all-rounder, for BUCC in 186 first XI games between 1955 and 1981. He is the BUCC leading first XI wicket taker with 459, having held that honor since 1977/78. His wickets came at the incredible average of 14.17. He also made 2782 first XI runs. Ken took 5 wickets in an innings 26 times and took 10 wickets in a match on one occasion. Ken also scored two first XI centuries, his best effort being 121 vs North Bendigo in 1973/74.
His career at BUCC across 186 first XI games saw him capture the George Mackay Trophy as Club Champion three times, and the first XI bowling award four times. Notably he was also the Bendigo District Cricket Association (BDCA) Champion Player in 1973/74. Ken also captained BUCC for three seasons. In 2000, Ken was selected in the BUCC Team of the Century, and in 2011 was one of the inaugural inductees into the BUCC Hall of Fame.
At league level Ken won the 1975/76 BDCA bowling average, and his hauls of 59 and 53 wickets in 1958/59 and 1960/61 respectively also saw him take out the BDCA bowling aggregate award. No BUCC 1st XI player has taken more wickets in a season that Ken’s 1958/59 total. Testament to his all-round ability, Ken twice topped the BDCA batting averages (in 1973/74 and 1978/79). Ken was inducted into the BDCA Hall of Fame in 2003/04 and was honored as a BDCA Living Legend in 1998/99.
His career at BUCC saw him spend ten years as club Secretary, and he was also the first winner of the Norm Jackson Award for Best Clubman in 1974. He was inevitably bestowed with Life Membership of BUCC in 1972. More recently, Ken was recognized as a 50 year BUCC member having followed the Club through his sons Andrew and Peter, and grandson Marcus.
