Mathew Ellis (3 February 1870 – 19 November 1940) was an Australian cricketer. He played thirteen first-class cricket matches for Victoria between 1901 and 1907.[1] He was an all-rounder.[2]
Ellis began his district cricket career in the 1892–93 season when he was recruited for the Carlton senior side from the junior ranks in December, 1892.[3] He was then a regular in the senior side but in January, 1894, he was dropped to the Carlton seconds,[4] and by 1896 he had moved to Fitzroy where he remained for the rest of his district career.[5]
In 1903 Ellis helped set the Victorian record for tenth wicket partnership when he was involved in a stand for 211 runs in a match against South Australia. He was involved in cricket administration during and after his playing career, serving as a delegate for Fitzroy to the Victorian Cricket Association from 1904 to 1931.[6] He was also a selector for the Victorian side in the mid-1920s,[7] and in 1926 he caused controversy when he harshly criticized the national selectors for omitting Charlie Kelleway and refused to retract his comments.[8]
Outside of cricket he was a racehorse owner and his successes included his horse Kerlie winning the Williamstown Cup in 1909, his horse Sheriff Muir winning the V.R.C. Sires' Produce Stakes race at 50 to 1 odds, and his horse Miss Disraeli winning the Oaks race.[9]
In 1940 Ellis suffered a fractured leg after falling in a street near his home and he died due to a heart seizure while in St. Vincent's Hospital.[10]
