Ernest Randell

Ernest Arthur Randell (25 January 1873 – 12 May 1938) was an Australian public servant and cricketer who played three first-class matches for Western Australia. The son of George Randell, who was a member of the Legislative Council, and Mary Louise Smith (his father's second wife), Randell was born in Perth, where he was raised.^[1] After his mother's death in August 1874, his father remarried to Lucy James (née Francisco), who had been widowed the previous year. Randell thus became the step-brother of Walter James, ten years his elder, who would later become Premier of Western Australia.^[2]

Playing for Perth in WACA grade cricket, Randell led the competition's batting aggregates during the 1890–91 season.^[3] He was selected to tour the eastern colonies with a state team in early 1893.^[4] Randell played in both first-class matches on tour (against South Australia and Victoria),^[5] opening the batting with William Back in the second match.^[6] His only further first-class match came when South Australia toured the colony at the end of the 1898–99 season. Batting at number ten in both innings, Randell scored 36 runs in Western Australia's second innings, his highest first-class score.^[7] He continued to play against touring sides into his thirties.^[8]

Having worked in both the Education and Treasury Departments, Randell later worked with Leslie and Co., and was a resident of Gunyidi for a period of time. Following his father into the Congregationalist movement, he was heavily involved with the Trinity Congregational Church in Perth, serving as a church officer as well as superintendent of the church's Sunday school. Randell died at the Mount Hospital in Perth in May 1938, and was buried in the Congregational section of Karrakatta Cemetery.^[1]

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