He was a right-handed opening batsman who was likened in his youth to Victor Trumper,[1] and was considered unlucky to miss the 1905 Australian tour to England.

He scored 203, 90, 194, 105, 102* and 136 for New South Wales in the 1905/06 season, as well as six centuries for his club side, Burwood.

Along with several other players he signed a contract with Melbourne Cricket Club to bring an English side to Australia and was suspended.

[2] His eyesight was damaged when a motorbike knocked him down and his brief but dazzling career was cut short.

[3] Mackay moved back to Sydney and tried to regain his place in the New South Wales side but his injury was too debilitating and he was forced to retire.