According to the provided reference focusing on "Shortest lived players in Tests," Australian cricketer George Coulthard had the shortest career span listed.
The term "shortest career" in cricket often refers to the duration between a player's first and last match. Based on the data from the reference, George Coulthard's Test career began and ended within the same calendar year, 1882.
The reference provides the following table of players considered among the shortest-lived in Test cricket:
| Player | Span | Mat |
|---|---|---|
| NA Quinn (SA) | 1929-1932 | 12 |
| C Newberry (SA) | 1913-1914 | 4 |
| GR Hazlitt (AUS) | 1907-1912 | 9 |
| G Coulthard (AUS) | 1882-1882 | 1 |
As you can see, George Coulthard's span is listed as 1882-1882. This indicates his entire one-match Test career occurred within that single year, representing the shortest duration among these players listed. While other players might have played fewer matches, Coulthard's career spanned the fewest years.
Therefore, based on the reference's criterion of "span," George Coulthard is identified as having the shortest career duration among these specific players.
