Bert Kortlang was for a long time, even during his playing career, regarded as a mystery man. But that has changed due to a fine biography by Rob Franks, Bert Kortlang – the globe-trotting cricketer. In modern times he might be described as an entrepreneur who peddled his wares around the world. An Australian who made his first-class debut for Victoria in 1909, he played 35 first-class games, 15 for Wellington and one for New Zealand.