Like his uncle, Lindsay Hassett, he played for South Melbourne Cricket Club, where he eventually made more than 5000 runs.

[4] He did not play again that season; his place in the team was taken by Bill Lawry, making his first-class debut.

[11] He played for an Australian XI against the touring West Indians in November 1961 but was twice dismissed cheaply by Wes Hall.

[12] Later in the season, a ball from the West Australian pace bowler Des Hoare struck him on the head and he spent some time in hospital with bruising of the brain.

He retired from first-class cricket before the 1961–62 season, citing the head injuries he had sustained while batting as the reason.