Almanac Teams: Tests but no ODIs

 

 

This week’s team is a follow up to last week’s and is made up of those who played Test cricket but not one dayers. Most have not played many Tests with Chris Rogers the most and there are six players who have played just one. There are 33 players in the team but only six or so of them are from before we had separate Test and ODI teams.

 

The Starting XI

 

 

 

Chris Rogers – WA/VIC

25 Tests, 2008-2015, 2,015 runs, average 43, HS 173

 

Rogers debuted in place of Matthew Hayden who was injured in 2008. He played just the one Test but returned in 2013 aged 35; he made another 24 Test appearances. Rogers was never in the frame for a one day debut.

 

 

Marcus Harris – VIC

14 Tests, 2018- , 607 runs, average 25, HS 79

 

Although Harris has three centuries in the domestic 50-over format at an average of 36, he has never really come under consideration with Finch and Warner long term openers during this period and Head now established in this role.

 

 

 

 

Ed Cowan – TAS

18 Tests, 2011-2013, 1,001 runs, average 31, HS 136*

 

Cowan was a top order bat who was not in serious consideration for ODIs. He did however score four centuries in the domestic 50-over format at an average of 37.

 

 

Robert Quiney – VIC

2 Tests, 2012, 9 runs, HS 9, 25-0-29

 

Quiney probably had a better record for Victoria in 50 over formats. He averaged 39 in domestic games (he averaged 36 in Shield cricket) at a strike rate of 91 with three centuries. Quiney probably didn’t come into serious consideration to play for Australia in the ODI side.

 

 

Nic Maddinson – NSW

3 Tests, 2016, 27 runs, average 7, HS 22, 6-0-27

It possibly comes as a surprise that Maddinson has played Tests for Australia rather than ODIs. Maddinson has had some success in the domestic 50-over format; his average of 33 with a strike rate of 88 and six centuries is nothing to be sneezed at. Maddinson has also been handy in the T20 format.

 

 

 

 

Peter Sleep – SA

14 Tests, 1979-1990, 483 runs, average 24, HS 90, 31 wickets, best bowling 5/72

 

Sleep played in an era where the Test team was similar to the one day team. However, Australia – apart from Bob Holland who played two games – did not really risk a leg spinner in the one day format until Shane Warne played and even then, he was almost two years after his Test debut. Sleep in domestic 50 over format averaged 38 with the bat but only took four wickets.

 

 

Peter Nevill – NSW

17 Tests, 2015-2016, 468 runs, average 22, HS 66, 61 catches, 2 stumpings

 

While Nevill was a very good gloveman for Australia, his batting – while very solid – was not attacking enough as to displace Matthew Wade in the team. He averaged 23 in the 50-over format at strike rate of 74. Maybe Nevill should have talked more and he may have got a game.

 

 

 

Chris Matthews – WA

3 Tests, 1986-1988, 54 runs, average 11, HS 32, 6 wickets, best bowling 3/95

 

Matthews’s Test career peaked on debut when he took 3/95 which included David Gower. He also got three wickets in his second Test including Mike Gatting in figures of 3/112. Matthews was dropped after this however and did not play again until the First Test against the West Indies two years later. He bowled five wides and five no balls in a struggle to hit the pitch. Matthews also made 32 from 31 balls. He went on to play for Tasmania after WA and took 380 First Class wickets.

 

 

Steve O’Keefe – NSW

9 Tests, 2014-2017, 86 runs, average 9, HS 25, 25 wickets, best bowling 6/35

 

O’Keefe has a good Test record for Australia in the sub-continent but has not cracked a one day game but then Nathan Lyon has not played many games in the ODI format. O’Keefe has taken 30 wickets in 53 in the domestic 50 over format.

 

 

Jackson Bird – TAS

9 Tests, 2012-2017, 43 runs, average 14, HS 19, wickets 34, best bowling 5/59

 

Bird being unlucky with injuries and behind other quicks despite good form in the Test side. Bird has 57 wickets in 45 games in the domestic 50 over format.

 

 

 

Jim Higgs – VIC

22 Tests, 1978-1981, 111 runs, 66 wickets, best bowling 7/143

 

Higgs took 66 wickets included twice getting five wickets in an innings. Higgs took 399 first class wickets and in nine domestic 50-over games he took 12 wickets. Higgs is best remembered for the 1975 Ashes Tour by not scoring a run for the whole tour (though he only batted twice and was bowled by the only ball he faced)

 

 

Other players are.

Cameron Bancroft -WA

10 Tests, 2017-, 446 runs, HS 82

 

Bancroft is one player who may yet have an ODI as a batter/wicketkeeper like Wayne Phillips. In the domestic 50 over format Bancroft averages 42 at a strike rate of 84 with four hundreds.

 

 

Michael Beer – WA

2 Tests, 2011-12, 6 runs, wickets 3, best bowling 2/56

 

Beer debuted in the last Test v England in Sydney where he made his debut with Usman Khawaja. His second Test was 12 months later in the West Indies. Beer took 26 wickets in 27 games in domestic 50-over format. Beer did open the bowling a bit in the BBL.

 

 

Beau Casson – NSW

1 Test, 2008, 10 runs, 3 wickets, best bowling 3/86

 

Casson was 25 when he debuted for Australia, he had to announce his retirement in November of 2011 aged 28 due to a congenital heart defect. Casson took 16 wickets in 21 games in the domestic 50 over format.

 

 

 

Simon Cook – NSW

2 Tests, 1997, 3 runs, 7 wickets, best bowling 5/39

 

Cook came into the test side for an injured Glenn McGrath and took 5/39 in his first Test against New Zealand. Cook took 15 wickets in 16 games in the domestic 50-over format.

 

 

Trent Copeland – NSW

3 Tests, 2011, 39 runs, average 13, HS 23*, 6 wickets, best bowling 2/24

 

Copeland played all his three Tests in Sri Lanka. Copeland took 41 wickets in 29 games in domestic 50 over format and is now an analyst on Channel 7.

 

 

 

Alex Doolan – TAS

4 Tests, 2014, 191 runs, average 24, HS 89

 

Doolan scored 89 in the second innings of his Test debut in South Africa. In the domestic 50-over format he averaged 36 with a high score of 96.

 

 

Peter George – SA

1 Test, 2010, 2 runs, 2 wickets, best bowling 2/48

 

George’s only Test was in India where he was first wicket was that of Sachin Tendulkar for 214. He took 25 wickets in 22 games in the domestic 50-over format.

 

 

Jon Holland – VIC

4 Tests, 2016-2018, 6 runs, 9 wickets, best bowling 3/83

 

Holland has played as the second spinner in four tests in Sri Lanka and the UAE. Holland took 71 wickets in the domestic 50-over format with a best performance of 6/29.

 

 

 

Trevor Hohns – QLD

7 Tests, 1989, 136 runs, average 23, HS 40, best bowling 3/59

 

Hohns was initially a rebel tourist to South Africa and had not played a Test prior. He debuted for Australia aged 35 as a leg spinner and played two Tests against the West Indies and then five against England in the 1989 Ashes. He is best remembered for getting David Gower and Ian Botham out to flippers in the same over. Hohns would later be Chair of Selectors for Australia.

 

 

Martin Love – QLD

5 Tests, 2002-2003, 233 runs, average 47, HS 100*

 

Love I covered a few weeks ago in players with significant contribution in their last Test. Love scored 4,545 runs at an average of 33 in the domestic 50-over format.

 

 

Andrew McDonald – VIC

4 Tests, 2009, 107 runs, average 21, HS 68, 9 wickets, best bowling 3/25

 

McDonald is unlucky to be on the list as he was to debut in the last ODI against India in 2009 before the match was abandoned due to poor weather. Also to debut in that game was NSW quick Burt Cockley. In the domestic 50-over format McDonald made 1,888 runs at an average of 30 and took 79 wickets with best figures of 5/38.

 

 

Bryce McGain – VIC

1 Test, 2009, 2 runs, 18-0-148

 

McGain made his Test debut just days short of his 37^th birthday. He took 101 First Class wickets at an average of 35 and 34 domestic 50-over format wickets at an average of 31.

 

 

 

Peter McIntyre – SA

2 Tests, 1995-96, 22 runs, 5 wickets, best bowling 3/103

 

Another leg spinner that never made played an ODI game for Australia. McIntrye debuted in the Ashes when Australia played two leg spinners and claimed the wicket of Mike Gatting in the first innings. He did play for Australia A against Australia in the World Series. McIntrye took 16 wickets in 11 games in domestic 50-over format.

 

 

Colin Miller – TAS/VIC

18 Tests, 1998-2001, 174 runs, average 8, HS 43, 69 wickets, best bowling 5/39

 

A player who should have played one day cricket for Australia and perhaps be allowed 20 overs – to bowl both medium pace and off spin. Also, his hair colour could match (or clash with) the Australian uniform. Miller took 49 wickets in 49 games of domestic 50-over games.

 

 

Scott Muller – QLD

2 Tests, 1999, 6 runs, 7 wickets, best bowling 3/68

 

Muller debuted in the same test as Adam Gilchrist and apparently received some feedback from Shane Warne on his ability. Muller took 12 wickets from eight games in the domestic 50-over format.

 

 

Matthew Nicholson – WA

1 Test, 1998, 14 runs, HS 9, 4 wickets, best bowling 3/56

 

Nicholson’s debut came as a call up for Colin Miller who was injured. He claimed Nasser Hussain’s wicket in both innings. Nicholson took 85 wickets in 79 games of domestic 50-over format cricket.

 

 

Kurtis Patterson – NSW

2 Tests, 2019, 144 runs, average 144, HS 114*

 

Patterson was also in my same side as Love having made 114* in his last innings. He averaged 30 in domestic 50-over format with one century.

 

 

Wayne Phillips – VIC

1 Test, 1992, 22 runs, HS 14, average 11

 

Phillips was called up for the last Test against India in Perth in 1991-1992 when he replaced Geoff Marsh. He did not tour Sri Lanka in the winter. Phillips played 14 domestic 50-over games at average of 24.

 

 

Will Pucovski – VIC

1 Test, 2021- , 72 runs, average 36, HS 62

 

Hopefully Pucovski gets to play more Test cricket as he is only 26 years old – it all depends on if he can avoid ongoing concussion-related issues. Pucovski averages 27 in domestic 50-over cricket with a top score of 137.

 

 

Matthew Renshaw – QLD

14 Tests, 2016- , 645 runs, average 29, HS 184, 5-0-20

 

Renshaw was probably unlucky to be dropped after a good home debut series and tour of India. In domestic 50-over format matches he averages 39 at a strike rate of 91 with a highest score of 156.

 

 

Chadd Sayers – SA

1 Test, 2018, 0 runs, 2 wickets, best bowling 2/78

 

Sayers’ sole Test was the Test after the infamous sandpaper incident. He was unlucky not to play more Test cricket, especially in England. Sayers took 320 first class wickets and 12 wickets in 16 games of domestic 50-over format cricket.

 

 

Shaun Young – TAS

1 Test, 1997, 4 runs, 8-0-13

 

Young was playing county cricket when he was called into the Test squad in 1997 for the Sixth Test with Gillespie injured and Reiffel going home for the birth of his child. He was a very good all rounder at first class level, he averaged 37 with the bat and took 274 wickets at 36. In the domestic 50-over format, he averaged 32, made one century and took 88 wickets at 34.

 

 

 

 

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