Nummy Deane

Hubert Gouvaine "Nummy" Deane (21 July 1895 – 21 October 1939) was a South African cricketer who played in 17 Tests from 1924 to 1931. All of his Tests were against England and he captained his country in 12 of them.

Early cricket

Born in Eshowe, Zululand, Deane was a right-handed middle-order batsman whose domestic cricket in South Africa was for Natal from 1919–20 to 1922–23 and then for Transvaal from 1923–24 to 1929–30. In his very first first-class match, for Natal against the Australian Imperial Forces team that played in the UK, South Africa and Australia after the end of the First World War, he took three wickets for 23 runs; these, however, remained his only first-class wickets and his bowling style is not known.

He had limited impact for Natal as a batsman and in 10 matches over four seasons his highest score for the side was 96, made against Transvaal in 1921–22. In his very first game for Transvaal in 1923–24, however, he made 165 out of 246 made while he was at the wicket against the weak Orange Free State team. This score would be the highest of his career and led to his selection for the 1924 South African team in England.