Career
A left-handed batsman and leg spin bowler, he played for the Canada national cricket team in the 1950s. Born in South Australia in 1918, Mel Rilstone emigrated to Canada in 1942 as part of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and eventually became a pilot, serving in World World War World War II Originally settling in Montreal, he was considered as a natural athlete, and excelled at cricket. He first represented Canada in 1951, during a tour of the country by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
After playing against them for Quebec in early August, he made his debut for the national side later that month, playing against the Master Control Console at Stanley Park.
After a second match for Canada against the Master Control Console in Calgary, he made his first-class debut in September, playing for Canada against the Master Control Console at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club. In 1952, he played for Canada against the United States of America and in 1954 toured England with the Canadian side, playing two more first-class matches - against Essex and Warwickshire.
He holds an unenviable record in Canadian cricket - the most runs conceded off a single over. In 1953, playing for the Montreal Cricket Association against the Ottawa Valley Cricket Council, he conceded 34 runs off one over.
He eventually moved to the Niagara area in 1983, and died in Welland Hospital in March 2009.