Neill grew up in Britain, then migrated to New Zealand, where he became a grain merchant in Auckland. At the time of his death aged 66 in August 1930 he was chairman of the United Permanent Building and Investment Society.[2] His wife Nina predeceased him. They had one daughter.[2]
A leg-spin bowler who usually opened the bowling, Neill took 9 for 75 in the first innings against Canterbury in 1891–92, in his second first-class match.[3] He played for New Zealand in two matches in 1896-97: the loss to the Australians[4] and the victory over the touring Queensland team.[5] He again took nine wickets in an innings in 1897–98, 9 for 86 in the first innings of Auckland's loss to Canterbury.[6]
When the cricket historian Tom Reese compiled his history of early New Zealand cricket, New Zealand Cricket, 1841–1914, in 1927, he selected a 14-man team of the best New Zealand cricketers of the period from 1860 to 1914. Neill was one of those selected.[7]
