Whether Australia's first notable cricketeer, Tom Wills was at Kew Asylum is apparently subject to debate.

The following Kew Asylum related cricket stories, however, are not. Note the inclusion of one of the greats of early Australian cricket, Hugh Trumble.

William Evans Midwinter

The plaque on grave commemorates William Evans Midwinter (1851-1890), the only cricketer to play for Australia versus England (8 tests) and England versus Australia (4 tests).

William ("Billy") Evans Midwinter (19 June 1851– 3 December 1890) was an English born cricketer who played four Test matches for England, sandwiched in between eight Tests that he played for Australia. Midwinter holds a unique place in cricket history as the only cricketer to have played for Australia and England in Test Matches against each other.

By 1889, Midwinter's wife and two of his children had died, and his businesses were failed or failing. He became "hopelessly insane" and was confined to Bendigo Hospital in 1890. He was then transferred to the Kew Asylum, where he died later that year.

http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/30687-william-evans-midwinter

KEW ASYLUM CRICKET CLUB.

From: The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Sat 2 Oct 1875
Page 11

A meeting of the members of the staff of the Kew Asylum was held on Saturday afternoon last, when it was resolved to form a cricket club at the establishment. Dr. Robertson was elected president, and Dr. Watkins and Mr. William Davis vice-presidents, Dr. Molloy hon. secretary and treasurer, and Messrs. Trumble, Johnston, Swift, and Flynn as committee.

The club starts with a large number of members, and with such players as Swtft, Niall and Flynn, it is likely to prove rather formidable. The club has not had an opportunity of making any matches yet, but would be glad to receive a few challenges for the ensuing season.

KEW ASYLUM CRICKET CLUB.

From: Boyle & Scott's Australian cricketers' guide., no.1882/83, 1882-01-01 p114

The club has had a fairly successful season, although they had tough opponents in Bohemia, Kew, Fitzroy, Brighton, &c. Among the players, H. Trumble, T. Foley, and G. Roberts have shown improved form with the bat, whilst M ‘Michael, W. Trumble, and Swift are as effective as of old. In bowling, H. Trumble, Arnold, and Swift have been most destructive.

Batting Averages.

Not Most Most
Inns. out. Runs, in inns, in match. Aver.
J. M'Michael 19 9 528 64* 64* 52.8
J. W. Trumble 6 1 229 105* 105* 45.4
J. S. Swift 15 4 497 79 79 45.2
C. Ross 4 0 114 75 75 28.2
H. Trumble 18 7 234 52* 52* 21.3
G. Roberts 13 1 167 39 39 13.11
T. Foley 17 3 163 44 44 11.9
G. Arnold 14 2 103 . 31 31 8.7

Bowling Averages.

Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wits. Aver.
J. W. Trumble 268 16 50 13 3.11
J. S. Swift 394 16 148 25 5.23
G. Arnold 650 26 320 43 7.19
T. Foley 258 11 88 8 11
H. Trumble 834 33 349 28 12.13
G. M'Garvin... 120 3 51 4 12.3
J. M'Michael 177 5 126 10 12.6

Swift 2no balls; Trumble 1.

CRICKET. KEW ASYLUM v. N. MELBOURNE.

From: The Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1925) Fri 12 Mar 1909 Page 7

The above match, played on the asylum ground on Saturday, was won by the home team by 7 wickets and 127 runs. North Melbourne scored 47 (Howlott 20 not out), while the Asylum lost 3 wickets for 174 (R. Morrison 110 not out, including 17 fourers, A. Walsh 38, R. Walsh 25 not out). Howlett, 1 for 34, and Buncle, 1 for 33, took the wickets for North Melbourne, and for Kew, Kenny 4 for 19, Crouch 4 for 21.