Who learned that he'd been awarded the MBE while on the field in an Ashes Test? The man in question here was the popular Australian all-rounder Ken Mackay, who’s MBE was announced on Australia Day 1963, while he was playing his last Test - the drawn fourth match of the 1962-63 Ashes series in Adelaide. Kenneth Donald Mackay, MBE, who died on June 13, 1982, aged 56, was one of the best and most popular cricketers ever produced by Queensland. As a left-handed middle-order batsman, he possessed a highly distinctive style, this endearing him to crowds which otherwise might have found his rate of scoring unendurably slow. Ken “Slasher” Mackay, whose nickname was ironic as he was famed for his defensive batting, played 37 Tests overall. However his award became public knowledge during that Test, I imagine Mackay himself actually knew about it sometime previously, as the recipients are usually asked beforehand whether they wish to accept. Kenneth Donald Mackay born on October 24, 1925, Windsor, Queensland and died June 13, 1982, Point Lookout, Stradbroke Island, Queensland (aged 56 years 232 days). His major teams are Australia, and Queensland, while his nick name was “Slasher”, batting style Left-hand bat, and bowling style Right-arm medium. His stats are as below.

Tests: 37

Inns: 52

Runs: 1507

Average: 33.48

100’s: No

50’s: 13

Catches: 6

Highest Score: 89 

Wickets: 50

Best Bowling: 6/42

Special Thanks for Photos: Getty Image