Career
He also played first-class cricket for Auckland from 1940 to 1952. Cleal made three appearances in official internationals for the New Zealand, the first a 0-10 loss to Australia on 11 July 1936, a result which still stands as New Zealand"s biggest loss in official matches, although New Zealand have been beaten by more in unofficial matches, notably England Amateurs in 1937 and Manchester United in 1967. War interrupted his playing career, with New Zealand competing in no further official matches until South Africa toured in 1947, when Cleal played two further matches, a 5-6 loss and a 0-6 loss on 28 June and 5 July 1947 respectively.
Ossie Cleal made his first-class debut in the 1940-1941 season, scoring 58 and 98 in the middle order in two easy victories for Auckland.
After serving as a sergeant and acting second lieutenant with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific, he resumed his career in the 1944-1945 season. In three matches for Auckland he scored 30, 77 not out, 24, 58, 96 and 74 not out.
At this stage of his career he had made 515 runs at an average of 84.37. However, when he was selected for North Island against South Island at the end of the season he made only 4 and 0.
After a few lean seasons he returned to form in 1949-1950 when in four matches he made 344 runs at 43.00, including 45 and 45 (top score in each innings) for Auckland against the Australians.
lieutenant was also his most successful season with his medium-pace: he took eight wickets at 20.87. He captained Auckland in 1950-1951 and 1951-1952. He was selected to play in the First Test against England in 1950-1951 but had to withdraw from the team and was replaced by Tony MacGibbon.
He retired after the 1951-1952 season.
He worked as a warehouseman.