Francis Farrelly

Francis James Farrelly (11 December 1895 – 21 August 1965) was a South African cricketer who played first-class cricket for Griqualand West between 1921–22 and 1930–31.

Born in Kimberley, Farrelly was educated in England at Stonyhurst College. Opening the bowling for the school's First XI in 1913, he took 134 wickets at an average of 5.39. It is believed to be the highest number of wickets taken in an English public schools season. In the 2021 edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack he was retrospectively named Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year for 1913.

Farrelly returned to South Africa and played for Griqualand West for nearly ten years as an all-rounder. His highest score was 94 in a Currie Cup match against Western Province in January 1926, when Griqualand West won by six wickets. He had taken his best bowling figures the previous month: 4 for 57 on the losing side against Transvaal.