Wikipedia:Today's featured article/September 5, 2009



Archie Jackson (1909–1933) was an Australian cricketer who played eight Test matches as a specialist batsman between 1929 and 1931. His Test and first-class cricket career coincided with the early playing years of Don Bradman, to whom he was often compared. A teenage prodigy, he played first grade cricket at only 15 years of age and was selected for New South Wales at 17. In 1929, aged 19, Jackson made his Test début against England, scoring 164 in the first innings to become the youngest player to score a Test century. Renowned for his elegant batting style, he played in a manner similar to the great Australian batsmen Victor Trumper, and Alan Kippax, Jackson's friend and mentor. Jackson's career was dogged by poor health; early in the 1931–32 season, Jackson coughed blood and collapsed before the start of play in a Sheffield Shield match against Queensland. Subsequently admitted to a sanatorium in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Jackson was diagnosed with tuberculosis. In an attempt to improve his health and to be closer to his girlfriend, Jackson moved to Brisbane. Ignoring medical advice, Jackson returned to cricket with a local team; however, his health continued to deteriorate and he died at the age of just 23. (more...)

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