First Grade Player No.32 Robert 'Bob' Louden
St George Cricket Club | June 27, 2025
Bob Louden, known for his powerful batting abilities, came to St George in the 1923-24 season and quickly established himself as a stubborn left hand opening batsman with the ability to maintain restrained aggression.
His tally of 5272 runs stood as the first grade aggregate record for a considerable number of years until eclipsed by Warren Saunders. In the century of years since initially playing first grade he still manages to hold 10th position in the all-time 1st Grade runs scorers for St George.
Bob played with many fine Cricketers including Don Bradman, Harold Waghorn, Len Vaughan, Albert Scanes and was considered by many experts unlucky not to attain Sheffield Shield Selection himself.
He goes down in the clubs historical records as being one of the greatest performers for the club. On six occasions between 25-26 and 33-34 he passed 500 runs for the season, which was in the day a considerable milestone. In the season of 1930-31 he set a new club record when he finished with 777 runs for the season. The record was not given much breathing space when the mark was surpassed by regular batting partner, Donald Bradman with 785 runs (112.14) the following season.
There must have been some friendly competition between the two St George greats. In 1927-28 Louden set a new club record with a score of 175. Bradman eclipsed that twice in 29-30 with 180* and then 187 before becoming the first St George cricketer to double up with 246 against Randwick in October of 1931. Bradman followed up with another double century at the end of that season. The previous game before Bradman’s record 246, Louden had hit 142 against Manly whilst Bradman finished with 46. Louden tried his best to match Bradman’s doubles when in the season of 1933-34 he scored a glorious 193.
Overall his 1st Grade Stats are – 174 Innings, 12 not outs, 193 Highest Score, 5272 runs at 32.54 with 8 centuries. He also took 19 first grade wickets as well as 58 catches. He scored a further 516 runs in 2nd Grade for a final St George tally of 5788 runs.
He passed away at Berkeley Vale age 87.
Newspaper clipping from October 11th 1931
BeaconPoint Club Clips - Phil Jaques on Batting: Mindset, Method and Making Runs
