Percy Mansell


Percy Neville Frank Mansell MBE was a Rhodesian cricketer who played in thirteen Tests for South Africa from 1951 to 1955. Mansell was a bespectacled middle-order batsman, slips fieldsman, and leg-break and googly bowler who sometimes bowled medium-pace.

Background

Born in England, Mansell moved to Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia as an infant. He was educated at Milton High School and first played first-class cricket for Rhodesia at the age of 16 against Transvaal in 1936-37.

Career

He represented Rhodesia 55 times before retiring after the 1961-62 season, having played his last match just before his 42nd birthday.
His best first-class bowling figures were 7 for 43 in Rhodesia's two-run victory over the touring Surrey team in 1959-60. His two highest scores were 148 and 154, which he made in Rhodesia's two innings victories over Griqualand West in the B Section of the Currie Cup in 1955-56.
After retiring from the game he served as a cricket administrator in Rhodesia. He was awarded the MBE "for services to cricket in Southern Rhodesia" in the 1962 New Year Honours.