Almanac Teams: Cricketers who contributed in last Test before dropped/replaced

 

To the start the year I am going to do some novelty cricket teams after dipping my toe in a couple of years ago. This team is made up of of players whose last Test match featured a significant contribution but were still dropped or – in most cases – replaced.

 

All were available for selection for next match Australia played but not picked. It does not include players that retired like Greg Chappell who made 182 or Bruce Reid who took 5/112 and then 2/39 but then missed the next Test injured and never came back. Once again like most of my teams this is based on 1980 onwards. The team includes four players that made a 100 in their last Test.

 

 

In batting order:

 

Phil Jaques

Wayne Phillips

Jason Gillespie

Martin Love

Brad Hodge

Stuart Law

Kurtis Patterson

Anthony Dodemaide

Andy Bichel

Bruce Yardley

Colin Miller

 

 

 

Phil Jaques

Last Test aged 29

Third Test v West Indies, June 2008 at Bridgetown

31 and 108

Australia won by 87 runs.

 

Jaques debuted for Australia in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in 2005. He replaced Justin Langer who was injured, and he made 2 and 28 on debut. Langer was back for the Sydney match while Jaques earned a tour spot to South Africa and Bangladesh where he played in the Second Test and made 66. When Langer retired after the 2006-2007 Ashes Jaques opened the batting with Hayden against Sri Lanka and made 100 in the First Test and 150 against Sri Lanka. Jaques played in the four Test series against India where he passed 50 three times.

 

Australia toured the West Indies in 2008 and Matthew Hayden went home injured; Jaques opened with Simon Katich and while both failed in the first match, Katich made hundreds in the second and third while Jaques made 76 in second and 108 in the third at an average of 41 for the series. With Hayden available for the tour to India in October 2008, Jaques joined but came home due to a back injury which ruled him out for all of the 2008-2009 season and hampered his cricket for NSW until retirement in 2012.

 

Test Career: 11 Tests for 902 runs at an average of 47.47, highest score 150, three 100s and six 50s.

 

 

 

Wayne Phillips

Last Test aged 27

Third Test v New Zealand, March 1986 at Auckland

62 and 15

New Zealand won by eight wickets.

 

Phillips is best known as a wicketkeeper/bat who debuted as an opening batter in the first test against Pakistan 1983 where he made 159 and averaged 60 for the series after touring Pakistan in September 1982. Rodney Marsh retired at the end of the series and when Australia toured West Indies in March, Phillips went on to bat at number seven and took over the gloves. However, in the five Test series Australia used five different opening combinations; Phillips opened in two and kept throughout. In the third Test Phillips made 120 runs against the might of the West Indies, but in his other nine innings he made just 138. Phillips played the first test against the West Indies in 1984-1985 before he broke his finger and missed the last three Tests. Phillips was wicketkeeper for Australia in the 1985 Ashes, he came in at either number six or seven and averaged 35 with top score of 91. In 1986-1987 Phillips’ glovework came under scrutiny and his batting lost form, he started at seven, opened for three Tests and then went back to number seven; he averaged 22 against New Zealand and India. When Australia toured New Zealand six weeks after the last home Test, Phillips was selected at number three with Tim Zoehrer selected to debut with the gloves. Phillips made just 135 runs in three Tests at an average of 27 but did make 62 in his last. Phillips was not selected to tour India in September 1986 and played for South Australia until the 1988-1989 season.

 

Test Career: 27 Tests for 1485 runs at an average of 32.28, highest score 159, two 100s and seven 50s, 52 catches.

 

 

 

 

Jason Gillespie

Last Test aged 31

Second Test v Bangladesh, April 2006 at Chattogram

201*, 3/11 and 0/14

Australia won by an innings and 80 runs.

 

Gillespie was a lower order batter who had a solid defence that made him an ideal nightwatchman, as he is in this team. He came to notice initially as an injury replacement for Craig McDermott in the 1996 World Cup though he did not play a game. Gillespie debuted in the Second Test against the West Indies in 1996-1997 where he took two wickets. He played two Tests but was injured for the rest of summer. Gillespie returned to tour South Africa in February 1997 and joined up with Glenn McGrath to become one of Australia’s all time great opening bowling partnerships. Injury-prone early in his career, after breaking his leg in a collision with Steve Waugh he became a key cog in the Australian side.

 

In Australia’s historic winning series against India in 2004 Gillespie was Australia best bowler with 20 wickets at average of 16. In the First Test against New Zealand in 2004-2005 Gillespie was involved in a 114 run partnership for the last wicket with McGrath (he made 54) and then helped roll the Kiwis for 76. Gillespie toured England in 2005 but was a shadow of himself and after only three wickets in three Tests at average of 100, he was dropped. With McGrath injured, Gillespie earned a recall for the 2006 two Test tour of Bangladesh. Five wickets in the First Test followed and Gillespie took 3/11 in the Second Test on Day 1. Hayden was out before stumps and Gillespie came in as nightwatchman. Rain stopped play on Day 2 with Gillespie 44 at stumps. On Day 3 Gillespie ran out Ricky Ponting with a bad call and for his own safety he stayed out in the middle where he formed a 320 run partnership with Michael Hussey which went until lunch on Day 4. Gillespie was man of the series but knew he was behind McGrath, Lee, and Stuart Clark against England in 2006-2007.

 

Test Career: 71 Tests, 1218 runs at an average of 18.73, 201* highest score, one 100 and two 50s. 259 wickets at an average of 26.13, 7/37 best figures, five wickets in innings eight times.

 

 

 

Martin Love

Last Test aged 29

Second Test v Bangladesh, July 2003 at Cairns

100*

Australia won by innings and 98 runs.

 

Love is not as discussed as player who was unlucky not to play more Test cricket compared to the likes of Law, Hodge, Siddons, and Lehmann. Love made his debut against England in the 2002 Boxing Day Test for an injured Darren Lehmann. Love put his name in front of the selectors with two double hundreds against England for Queensland and an ACB XI. He made a very nice 62* however it was four catches at first slip that received plaudits, with his soft hands being compared as one of the best in Mark Taylor. Love toured the West Indies as a reserve batter and played in the Fourth Test for an injured Ricky Ponting. When Bangladesh toured the Top End in July 2003, Love played both Tests for an injured Damien Martyn and scored 100* in a 174 run partnership with Steve Waugh. He did not play another Test and retired from Queensland duties in 2009.

 

Test Career: Five Tests, 233 runs at an average of 46.50, one 100 and one 50, nine catches.

 

 

Brad Hodge

Last Test aged 33

First Test v West Indies, May 2008 at Kingston

67 and 27

Australia won by 95 runs.

 

Hodge was always on the fringe of the Australian team in both Test and ODI cricket. He toured England in 2005 as reserve batter but despite losing the Ashes Hodge did not get a Test debut. Hodge instead debuted in against the West Indies in Hobart in 2005 and replaced Simon Katich who was omitted. He made 60 and played the last five Tests of the Australian summer. In the First Test against South Africa in Perth Hodge made 203 in the second innings. Hodge missed out on runs in the next two Tests however it was still considered a huge shock when he was dropped for a recalled Damien Martyn for the tour of South Africa. He played in the 2007 World Cup as the reserve batter and made 123 against the Netherlands in the group stage. Hodge toured the West Indies again as the reserve batter, made 67 in the First Test however had to make way for Michael Clarke for the next match.

 

Test Career: Six Tests, 503 runs at an average of 55.88, highest score 203*, one 100 and two 50s.

 

 

 

Stuart Law

Last Test aged 27

First Test v Sri Lanka, December 1995 at Perth

54*

Australia won by an innings and 36 runs.

 

Law is one of Australia’s unluckiest cricketers with just one Test appearance to his name, he was close but always behind names like Ponting, Blewett, Martyn, Langer and Bevan for a spot in the middle order. He debuted in the one day format for Australia in 1994 against an Australia A side that was stocked with the above-mentioned players. Law played 54 one day games for Australia at an average of 27 with a top score of 110 and made the 1996 World Cup squad – where he played every game. His Test debut was just prior to the World Cup against Sri Lanka in Perth. Law debuted alongside Ricky Ponting with Steve Waugh out due to injury and Greg Blewett omitted. Law shared a 121 run partnership with Ponting who made 96 while Law made 54*. Once Ponting went out Australia declared which meant that Law was never dismissed in Test cricket (and technically has an infinite average as a result). Steve Waugh was available for the next Test and Law never played again.

 

Test Career: One Test, 54 runs

 

 

Kurtis Patterson

Last Test aged 25

Second Test v Sri Lanka, February 2019 at Canberra

114*

Australia won by 366 runs.

 

Patterson was a tall left-handed bat, who despite the quality of the Sri Lankan attack, looked elegant with his shots – especially through covers. He was one of two changes for the First Test against Sri Lanka after losing a home series to India for the first time; Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh were replaced. Patterson came in after making 137* against Sri Lanka for an ACB XI. He made 30 on debut in the First Test and 114* in his second. Patterson was in the Australia A squad in England with hopes of making the Ashes squad and played in Australia v Australia A match that determined the squad, however missed on runs in each innings in England and with Smith, Warner, and Bancroft available, he was not selected. He unfortunately struggled for NSW and this year was dropped from the team in October.

 

Test Career: Two Tests, 144 runs at an average of 144, 114* highest score

 

 

 

Anthony Dodemaide

Last Test aged 28

Third Test v Sri Lanka, September 1992 at Moratuwa

13* and 2*, 4/65

Match Drawn

 

Dodemaide made his test debut on Boxing Day 1987 v New Zealand as a late call up for Merv Hughes. Dodemaide impressed on debut with 50 and 6/58 in the second innings in a thrilling Test match that came down to the last over of Richard Hadlee at number 11 batting with Mike Whitney. Dodemaide claimed seven wickets in the next Test against Sri Lanka and then toured Pakistan in the spring for nine wickets in three Tests. A drop in form against the might of the West Indies in 1988 saw Dodemaide play just the first two Tests and not earn his spot again until a tour to Sri Lanka in 1992. He replaced Shane Warne in the Second Test at Colombo and after taking two wickets, played in the Third Test and took 4/65. This was also the last Test for Dean Jones and Tom Moody. He remained on the selectors’ radar and was 12^th man in the Fourth Test against the West Indies in 1992-1993. Dodemaide toured New Zealand in February 1993 as a reserve bowler but missed out on the Ashes tour in 1993 to uncapped players Wayne Holdsworth and Brendon Julian.

 

Test Career: 10 Tests, 202 runs at an average of 22.44, one 50, 34 wickets at an average of 28.02, best figures 6/58

 

 

Andy Bichel

Last Test aged 33

Second Test v India, December 2003 at Adelaide

19 and 1, 4/118 and 1/35

India won by four wickets.

 

Bichel debuted for Australia in the Fourth Test at Adelaide against the West Indies in the 1996-1997 season and played in two Tests that summer. He toured South Africa as a reserve bowler in March 1997 and made the Ashes squad but went home early due to injury. Bichel next played for Australia in the Third Test against South Africa 1998 in Adelaide and then did not reappear until Boxing Day against West Indies in 2000 – he took 5/60 and from then on was virtually a constant in the Australian XII in next three years playing 16 further Tests and 12^th man numerous times. A career highlight came in the 2003 World Cup where in a match against England where he took 7/20 and with Australia chasing 204 Bichel joined Michael Bevan in the 38^th over at 8/135 and made 34* off 36 balls to help steer Australia to victory and was a member of the team who lifted the trophy. Bichel was left out for the Third Test for Brett Lee who returned from injury. He played for Queensland until 2009.

 

Test Career: 19 Tests, 355 runs at an average of 16.90, one 50, 58 wickets at an average of 32.24, best figures 5/60

 

 

 

Bruce Yardley

Last Test aged 35

Only Test v Sri Lanka, April 1983 at Kandy

DNB, 5/88 and 2/78

Australia won by innings and 38 runs.

 

Yardley debuted for Australia during World Series Cricket in the Fifth Test against India at Adelaide in 1977-1978 and took 4/134 in the second innings. He toured the West Indies and played all five Tests, took 14 wickets and top scored in one innings with 74. Yardley played most Tests from then until the World Series Cricketers came back into the fold and then did not reappear until the Second Test against India at Adelaide in 1981. He did not tour England in 1981 but had personal best season in 1981-1982 where he took 18 wickets against Pakistan in three Tests which included 7/187 from 66 overs and then 20 wickets against West Indies in three Tests including 7/98 in Sydney and as a result was the 1981-1982 International Cricketer of the Year. Yardley took 22 wickets in the 1982-1983 Ashes including 5/107 at Perth but his last Test was April 1983 in Australia’s first ever Test against Sri Lanka where he took 5/88 in the first innings. Yardley was available for selection for Australia in 1983-1984 but the selection of four quicks for the first two Tests ruled him out of contention and when Australia selected a spinner in the Third Test, they selected Tom Hogan, followed by Greg Matthews in the remaining matches.

 

Test Career: 33 Tests, 978 runs at an average of 19.56, 126 wickets at an average of 31.83, best figures 7/98, five wickets in an innings six times.

 

 

Colin Miller

Last Test aged 37

Third Test v India, March 2001 at Chennai

0 and 2, 3/160 and 3/41

India won by 2 wickets.

 

Miller was prolific wicket taker for South Australia and Tasmania who late in his career bowled off spin to go with his swing bowling. This development and ability to get wickets earnt Miller a trip to Pakistan at the age of 34 and with Warne and Gillespie unavailable, Miller played all three Tests where he took eight wickets with best of 3/82. He played three Tests in the home summer of 1998-1999 as third quick and second spinner until Sydney where he opened the bowling with both MacGill and Warne in the side. Miller toured the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and New Zealand, where he claimed his first five-for. During the 2000-2001 season against the West Indies Miller reached his peak: he took 20 wickets in three Tests including 5/81 and 5/32 in Adelaide. Miller won for the Test Player of the Year. He toured India in 2001 but was only selected for the last Test of the series. Miller made the 2001 Ashes squad but did not play a Test.

 

Test Career 18 Tests 174 runs at an average of 8.28, 69 wickets at an average of 26.15, best figures 5/32, five wickets in an innings three times.

 

 

 

 

Others considered:

 

Graeme Beard

Last test aged 29

Third Test v Pakistan, March 1980 at Lahore

39 and 49, 1/26

Match Drawn

 

Beard was an all rounder who could bowl medium pace and off spin. His only three Tests were against Pakistan in Australia’s tour of Pakistan in 1980. Beard did play some ODIs for Australia in 1980-1981 and went on the 1981 Ashes tour.

 

Test Career: Three Tests, 114 runs at an average of 22.80, one wicket at an average of 109

 

 

James Faulkner

Last Test aged 23

Fifth Test v England, August 2013 at The Oval

23 and 22, 4/51 and 2/47

Match Drawn

 

Faulkner was selected for the last Test to replace Jackson Bird and showed promise especially with the ball. As an all rounder Faulkner was behind Shane Watson however and Australia brought in Mitchell Johnson for the next Test against England in Australia. He won Man of the Match in the 2015 World Cup.

 

Test Career: One Test, 45 runs at an average of 22.50, six wickets at an average of 16.33

 

 

 

 

Martin Kent

Last Test aged 27

Sixth Test v England, September 1981 at The Oval

54 and 7

Match Drawn

 

Australia never had a stable opening partnership in late 1970s until really Boon/Marsh. Each season seemed to be a different combination with the likes of McCosker, Darling, Laird, Wiener, Yallop, Wood, Hilditch and Dyson all used the previous two summers. In England 1981 Wood and Dyson opened in the first five Tests with Kent picked to debut in the Fourth Test when he replaced Trevor Chappell in the middle order. Kent got 46 on debut and in his second Test made 52. In the Sixth Test Kent replaced Dyson as opener and made 54, however he was replaced by Bruce Laird for the First Test of the 1981-1982 summer.

 

Test Career: Three Tests, 171 runs at an average of 28.50, two 50s

 

 

Greg Matthews

Last Test aged 33

Third Test v West Indies, January 1993 at Sydney

79, 2/169

Match Drawn

 

Matthews made 79 in his last Test, however the problem for Matthews was he took 2/169 and Shane Warne had just emerged and took 7/52 in the previous match. Matthews was a very good number 7 bat and could have played as a number 6 who bowled but for the majority of his career suffered for not being threatening as the number one spin bowler in the team.

 

Test Career: 33 Tests, 1,849 runs at an average of 41.08, highest score 130, four 100s and 12 50s, 61 wickets at an average of 48.22, best figures 5/103, five wickets in innings twice.

 

 

Andrew McDonald

Last Test aged 27

Third Test v South Africa, March 2009 at Cape Town

13 and 68, 1/102

South Africa won by innings and 20 runs.

 

McDonald was a handy bowler that held up an end for the likes of Mitchell Johnson but when Australia needed an all rounder in the side McDonald didn’t make enough runs. He did tour England in 2009 but did not play a Test.

 

Test Career: Four Tests, 107 runs at an average of 21.40, nine wickets at an average of 33.33, best figures 3/25

 

 

 

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