An allrounder, albeit one who was a bit of a slogger as a batsman, George Gilbert was one of Australia's cricketing pioneers, the first man to lead New South Wales in a first-class match (in 1856) and the first to take a hat-trick in an inter-state game. Born in England, he had played a few games for Middlesex before emigrating in 1852 , and he played for NSW for a decade from that first game and in club matches until 1876.

A tobacconist by preference, he also worked as surveyor, clerk, station master and timber worker to feed his nine children. But by the early 1880s he was reported to be homeless and survived on handouts from the NSW cricketing authorities.
Martin Williamson

MR. GEORGE GILBERT, who died at Summer Hill, N. S. W., on June 16th, at the age of 78, was a cousin of the Graces, and in his time played no mean part in the cricket field. He was born in Gloucestershire, and appeared several times for the Gentlemen of Surrey, and, in 1851, for the Gentlemen against the Players at Lord"s. He went to Australia in 1852, and four years later captained New South Wales in the very first match that state ever played against Victoria. He also played for the New South Wales XXII. against the first English team which visited Australia-in 1861-2-and to the last took a great interest in the game. At the Oval, in 1851, he played a single-wicket match against Mr. F. P. Miller, the Surrey captain, in which a curious occurrence took place. The latter cut a ball which went round the boundary stump. Gilbert threw the ball at the wicket but, as it did not pass within bounds, was told to fetch it back and try again. During the argument Mr. Miller ran 13 for the hit.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack