Ian Johnson (cricketer)

Ian William Geddes Johnson, was an Australian cricketer who played 45 Test matches as a slow off-break bowler between 1946 and 1956. Johnson captured 109 Test wickets at an average of 29.19 runs per wicket and as a capable lower order batsman made 1,000 runs at an average of 18.51 runs per dismissal. He captained the Australian team in 17 Tests, winning seven and losing five, with a further five drawn. Despite this record, he is better known as the captain who lost consecutive Ashes series against England. Urbane, well-spoken and popular with his opponents and the public, he was seen by his teammates as a disciplinarian and his natural optimism was often seen as naive.

8 December 1917

Born on the same birth day (8 December): Ants Oras • Bob Greene (fitness) • Bohuslav Martinů • Corey Taylor • December 8 • Enzo Amore • George Rogers (American football) • James Blundell (singer) • James MacArthur • Jean Ritchie • Jordan Obita • Kristin Lauter • Larry Martin • Matthew Labyorteaux • Mike Mussina • Nikos Gatsos • Raymond Lam • Richard Fleischer • Vince MacLean • Édson Ribeiro

Born in the same month (December 1917): Cahit Külebi • David Bohm • Heinrich Böll • Lincoln Verduga Loor • Ossie Davis • Ramanand Sagar • Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee • Thomas Hayward (tenor)