Ronald Osmond Talbot (26 November 1903 – 5 January 1983), was a New Zealand sportsman who played first-class cricket between the 1922–23 and 1935–36 seasons, and toured England with the national team in 1931. He also played representative rugby union for Canterbury.
Talbot was born at Christchurch in 1903 and educated at Christ's College in the city,Ronald Talbot, CricInfo. Retrieved 28 January 2024.McCarron, Tony (2010). New Zealand Cricketers 1863/64–2010, p. 128. Cardiff: The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. (Available online at the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 5 June 2023.) where he captained the First XI cricket teamBill Francis, Tom Lowry: Leader in a Thousand, Trio, Wellington, 2010, p. 34. and the First XV Rugby team.A Mighty Christ's: The 1922 First XV. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
A middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler, Talbot made his first-class debut for Canterbury in a Plunket Shield match against Otago in January 1923, aged 19. He scored 105 in the first innings, the highest score in the match, and after not bowling in Otago's first innings, took 3 for 38 in the second. Canterbury won by 10 wickets,Otago v Canterbury 1922–23: scorecard, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. won Talbot's next match as well, and finished the 1922–23 season champions.Plunket Shield table 1922–23, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
In 1925–26 he took 5 for 106 in 18 overs as Wellington made 494 for 9 on the first day, then made a pair when Wellington dismissed Canterbury cheaply twice on the second day.Wellington v Canterbury 1925–26, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. He did not make a fifty between his debut match and 1929–30,Ron Talbot batting by season, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. when he scored 50 and 113 in a narrow loss to Wellington.Wellington v Canterbury 1929-30 In 1930–31 he scored 182 runs at 30.33Canterbury batting 1930–31, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. and took six wickets at 32.33Canterbury bowling 1930–31, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. to contribute to Canterbury's victory in the Plunket Shield and earn himself selection in the 14-man team to tour England in 1931.Test Cricket Tours - New Zealand to England 1931, Test Cricket Tours. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
In 24 first-class matches on the tour Talbot made 759 runs at 23.71 with four fifties and a highest score of 66, and took 17 wickets at 50.70.New Zealand in British Isles averages 1931, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. He was the only player not to appear in the Tests. Early in the tour he played a part in the victory over MCC at Lord's,MCC v New Zealanders 1931, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. when he made 66 in 50 minutes,Francis, p. 13. "hitting half-volleys as if he hated them", and hitting one ball onto the top of the pavilion roof.R.T. Brittenden, Great Days in New Zealand Cricket, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1958, p. 75. Wisden reported that he had started the tour well, but "lost his punishing powers" as he "endeavoured to play a more correct game".The New Zealanders in England, 1931, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 1932. (Available online at CricInfo. Retrieved 28 January 2024.)
Opening the batting for Canterbury against Auckland in the first match of the 1932–33 season, Talbot made 55 and 117, his highest first-class score.Canterbury v Auckland 1932–33, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024. He moved to Otago ahead of the 1933–34 season, playing four matches over the following three seasons, scoring 151 runs and taking four wickets.Ron Talbot, CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
Talbot also played squash, golf, bowls and athletics, and played representative rugby for Canterbury. He worked for the Phoenix Insurance Company. He and his wife Jennie had two daughters. He died at Auckland in January 1983 aged 79.Obituaries in 1983, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1984, p. 1209. (Available online at CricInfo. Retrieved 28 January 2024.)
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