Educated at Harrow, McMaster was a right-handed batsman and, uniquely, a player whose Test and first-class career consisted of a single match;[2] also, he did not score a run, take a wicket or hold a catch.[3] He did not bowl but he was praised for his fielding.[4]
Only two matches, both against a team called the South African XI, were eleven-a-side. These were subsequently recognised as the first South Africa v England Test matches. They were played at the St George's Oval in Port Elizabeth and the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town; England won both convincingly. Harry Altham said the standard of the England team was "about that of a weak county".[7] McMaster played at Newlands and batted once, in the first innings, at number nine in the batting order. He was out for a first-ball duck. England won by an innings and 202 runs, the match ending on the second day. England scored 292 (Bobby Abel 120) and dismissed South Africa for 47 (Johnny Briggs 7/17) and 43 (Briggs 8/11). Briggs' match return was 15/28.[8]
McMaster returned to England after the tour ended and is known to have played in club cricket for a team called the Ne'er Do Wells. He intended to go back to South Africa towards the end of the year. Cricket magazine reported that he was going to Maritzburg.[9] Two seasons later, McMaster umpired three first-class matches in South Africa. His son, Michael, also played in a single first-class match.[10]
