Australia Day, cricket?
This day we call Australia Day, when is its actual date? The date of what we call Australia Day has moved around quite a bit over time.
In my youth I recall the Australia Day long weekend. It often coincided with tests in Adelaide. To gain an understanding of how it was recognised then I’ll defer to the words of Frank Tyson:
The South Australia Test always coincides with the Australia Day week-end. Without fail the South Australian Cricket Association celebrates January 27 with a stirring flag-raising ceremony before the start of play. The flag-pole before the member’s enclosure is erected and both teams, together with the officials and umpires, troop out to form a guard of honour on each flank of the President of the Cricket Association as he raises the flag. To a man, and woman, the crowd rise to their feet to sing the national song…the men placing their hats and hands over their hearts. Equally there was no doubting the sincere determination of the Australian team as they took the field with their caps set in a resolute angle over their eyes.
This was written about the Fifth Test of the 1974-75 Ashes series. I remember watching the Test on TV. After the opening day was lost to rain, Australia struggled against Derek Underwood before a late-order fightback. Then the fun started. Before too long the Australian bowlers swept through the feeble English batting. There was limited resistance with only a few defying the bowlers for long, Alan Knott the best, scoring a sterling ton in their second innings. It was during the rest day of this test Jeff Thomson injured his right shoulder playing a ‘relaxing’ game of tennis. On the third day they reported the 21 gun salute from the nearby barracks at 12 noon. This was meant to commemorate Australia Day; on a day/date following the day we’re now advised it’s meant for celebration. Hmmm.
The second day’s play in this Test was on Sunday January 26, the day that’s now officially deemed Australia Day. Monday January 27 was a public holiday, rounding out the long weekend; the Australia Day long weekend.
This January 26, 2019, Australia will be at the ‘Gabba’ in the middle of the first test of the series against Sri Lanka. You can imagine the patriotic fanfare and marketing from the relevant ‘powers’ re the specific day, being as it is in the middle of a day-night test. We’ve already had the Federal Government making stern pronouncements to Councils about what should take place on January26, woe betide those not following their directive. Anyhow here, I’m going back fifty years to the Fourth Test of the 1968-69 West Indies series. Coming into this Test, the home side led 2-1. Adelaide had seen a famous encounter during the Fourth Test on the previous West Indies tour, 1960-61, when the home side were saved by a heroic last wicket stand between Ken ‘Slasher’ Mackay and Lindsay Kline.
The 1968-69 test saw the West Indies captain Gary Sobers call correctly at the toss, choosing the first use of the crease. They now had batted first all four Tests in the series, though yet again, for the fourth time they would fail to reach 300.
The first day was Friday January 24. Bushfires blazed in the Adelaide Hills, with smoke drifting on to the ground. Australia struck early, Alan Connolly dismissing Roy Fredericks with the score on 21. The fragility of the visitors batting was again noticeable. The Australian bowlers who had only conceded scores of 300 plus twice to that point in the series, were confident they’d again be in charge.
Gary Sobers came to the crease with his team in trouble at 4-107. He had previously played Sheffield Shield cricket with South Australia, being well enamoured to the ground. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He took on the bowlers, with the ball being smote to, and over, the boundary. His half century came in 48 minutes, the ton in 117 minutes. When he departed with the score at 8-261, he’d contributed 110 of the 157 runs in that period. With 15 4s and 2 6s, he scored more than two thirds of his runs in boundaries. The tail fell quickly, with Port Adelaide strongman Eric ‘Fritz’ Freeman claiming bowling honours with 4-52. One of his wickets was Sobers.
The Australian’s off to a flier were 0-37 at stumps. 21 came off Charlie Griffiths first over, who overstepped the bowling crease four times. This was the days of eight ball overs, this over lasting 12 deliveries.
Day two, Saturday January 25 was cooler, as the Australians set about compiling a big score. With an opening stand of 89 those that followed to the crease had a pitch full of runs they could plunder. Doug Walters in sparkling touch brought up a century, his second of the series. The day’s run spree saw the home side go in at stumps with 6 wickets down, having 424 on the board. As they had in the previous two Tests a big first innings tally would give the bowlers the lead to hammer home the advantage.
The following day was Sunday January 26; as I’ve already said, it’s the day we’re now taught to accept is Australia Day. It wasn’t then, being a Sunday that was part of what we knew as the Australia Day long weekend. There was no play, no public fanfare to behold.
The third day, Monday January 27, was officially portrayed as Australia Day. Players of both sides filed out with Sir Donald Bradman amongst an entourage that raised the Australian flag. A military band provided music. At midday cannons fired out a 21-gun salute. That was that.
On the cricket field Australia continued on to big score. A consistent batting performance saw a tally of 533. Five of the top six specialist batsmen passed the half century mark, Ian Redpath with 45 the exception. Graham McKenzie coming in at 9 contributed a breezy 59. Interestingly in a team tally of 533 there were no century stands. Australia had a lead of 257, surely it was enough for the home side to win; or was it?
The visitors weren’t succumbing easily this time as they wiped out the lead by stumps. At 3-261 they had their noses marginally in front, though there was a long way to go.
The fourth day saw the visitors take the initiative. The graceful Basil Butcher with 118, supported by other handy contributions saw a big score compiled. Joey Carew, Rohan Kanhai, David Holford, with of course the latter’s cousin, Gary Sobers, all passed the half century mark. What had been perceived as an easy Australian victory now was a tad more difficult. When stumps were drawn the West Indies were 9-614.
On a flattening pitch the Australian bowlers had struggled. Tamworth’s favourite cricketing son Johnny Gleeson suffered. Up until now he’d bamboozled the visitors, with 20 wickets in seven innings. However, here their batsmen turned the tables on him. Figures of 1-176 for the innings did not read well for Gleeson. For the home side Alan Connolly did the yard hards with the ball. His 34 overs were rewarded with 5-122.
It did not take long for the last wicket to fall on the final day with Graham McKenzie skittling Lance Gibbs. A tally of 616 gave the visitors an unlikely chance of victory. Australia required 360 to clinch the series. How would it pan out?
The scoreboard moved quickly. The home side settled in to lunch at 1-106. In the afternoon runs continued flowing, but controversy reared its head. With the Australian score on 215 the non-striker Ian Redpath was run out for 9. Backing up too far he was out of his crease when Charlie Griffiths suddenly stopped in his run up, knocking over a stump. Redpath well out of his crease was ‘Mankaded’. Amidst the hooting and booing, Australia continued on with Ian Chappell and Doug Walters scoring at will.
Coming into the last hour Australia was well set. On 3-298, 62 runs needed off fifteen eight ball overs; it should have been easy-peasy. Ian Chappell fell, trapped in front for 96, no century for the home town fans. The score was now 4-304. In what seemed like a blink of the eye, Australia stumbled; badly. Three run outs, with the tail now exposed. The tail fell away. Thus a certain victory seemed a potential defeat.
With 20 balls left Australia was 9-333. The Victorian pair, Paul Sheahan and Alan Connolly, was at the crease. Like another Victorian on this ground 8 years prior, Lindsay Kline, these two were determined to survive. In the second last over Sobers took the new ball but could not dislodge Connolly, as Sobers struggled to pitch it up. Only one over remained, with the arch-villain of the afternoon, Charlie Griffiths delivering it. I’ve mentioned in the past Paul Sheahan had been anointed by Australia’s previous Prime Minister ‘Pig Iron’ Bob Menzies. Sheahan never reached the heights expected, though he managed two Test centuries in his career.
In this final over he stood firm, not allowing Griffith any chance of dismissing him. Surely this was one of the finest knocks of his career. Yes it was brief, only managing 11 not out, but it saved his team. As the players left the field Australia was 9-339, the match ending in a thrilling draw. Scorecard HERE.
One Test remained to conclude the series, that being in Sydney. That story is for another day, so I might return to the start of this story, the theme of it all.
This story started on the topic of when is what we’re told is Australia Day, January 26? Well is it? I will defer to the eminent British Historian EH Carr re the facts of this. He contended historians arbitrarily determine which facts are utilised according to their own agendas and biases. This seems a case in those calling January 26 Australia Day. We know the boats of the First Fleet sailed into what we now call Botany Bay on January 19 1788, but the site was deemed unsuitable. A few days were spent trying to choose the best site to settle, with Governor Arthur Phillip finally landing on January 25. The day after, January 26, the remainder of the First Fleet settled on shore. On February 7 the colony of New South Wales was proclaimed. The east coast of Australia had already been declared for the British Empire by Captain James Cook back on August 22 1770.
Australia, as a nation state didn’t exist until Federation in January 1 1901. From the time of the First Fleet arriving, until then, this wide, brown land was a disparate combination of British colonies. It was not Australia as we’ve come to know it.
We know that during World War 1 Australia Day was held on different dates in July, as the actual Australia Day changed. It was conducted firstly on July 30 in 1915, with the dates/days of July, 28, 27, then 26, rounding off Australia Day’s recognition in the war years. For the next 80 or so years the actual day, seemed secondary to the long weekend, the latter being more prominent in the public gaze.
It took until 1935 for all the states to agree on an actual Australia Day. Actually it’s only since 1994 that all Australian states/territories agreed January 26 is the official Australia Day, having a public holiday on that day. It’s a very recent event.
Do we really need an Australia Day? What did Brecht say: Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes? Any how Australia Day isn’t just going away, so when is the best day to have it? Yes I know there are some who may want to do away with the day altogether, they being focused on the negatives of Australia’s history post 1788: But one always divides into two, so rather than looking at the negative episodes in our history, let’s focus on the many fine events from our past, events worthy of commemorating, then maybe have an Australia Day celebrated around one of them.
Do we consider changing Australia Day to coincide with the actual date of Federation; January 1? Possibly May 27 recognising the 1967 referendum to remove clauses that discriminated against indigenous Australians.
We could have April 21, in recognition of the stonemason’s victory in Melbourne, them being the first workers in the world to win the 8 hour day. Some might suggest March 21, the date in 1895 when South Australian were the first women in Australia and amongst the first in the world to win the right to vote.
There may be people who suggest October 28, or December 20, the dates of the two plebiscites during World War 1 when Australia voted NO to conscription.
Anyhow, let’s have the conversation.
Glen!
Bibliography:
1/ Frank Tyson, Test of Nerves, Test Series 1974-75, Australia versus England; Manark Pty Ltd Melbourne 1975, P159
To become a member CLICK HERE.
About Glen d
As a South Australian, and more so since the Adelaide Test is now a moving commission, January 26 is of no relevance. Why can’t Australia Day be Dec 28th? The date that the first free colony was founded.
Can of worms, Glen!
Very complicated: some want to keep it, others want it gone, for different reasons. Could we change the name to Reconciliation Day? Change to date to 1/1, date of Federation?
This is one of a number of issues we have to tackle, however we don’t seem to be able to debate anything in this country these days without opposing sides becoming rude and abusive.
Glen
As Andrew says, the debate about Australia Day is fraught with difficulties. I well remember watching the dramatic 1993 test that Australia lost by one run to the Windies amidst a bunch of very PC colleagues chuckling about how satisfying it was to see Australia lose in such a manner on “Invasion Day”.
The simpler issue that you’ve identified in this piece is Adelaide’s loss of its “traditional” Australia Day test. This is another example of the fragmentation of the Australian cricket calendar that has reduced the summer schedule to a meaningless hotch-potch of unconnected fixtures, in which everything seems subordinate to the all-powerful BBL.
AUSTRALIAN CRICKET OFFICAL HAD WHAT IS HAPPPENING NOW COMING DUE TI9 THEM NOT TAKING R8D MARSH’S ADVUSE REGARDING BATTING ISSUES THE ROD MARSH SAW PRIOR TI HIM BECOMING ENGLISHE CRUCKET ACCADOMY BOSS THIS IS WHY AUSTRALIAN CRICKET IS DOING NIOT AS WELL AS IT NCE DID.
Jesus Jason – just home from the pub?
Glen, leaving aside the debate as to what is the right date to have Australia Day (I have no clear answer but think the debate is worthy), I think Australian Cricket lost something special when it moved away from having a Test match in Adelaide over this holiday. So many great Australia Day Test memories from my youth- Deano’s double ton in 1988/89, Mark Waugh’s sublime ton on debut in 1990/91, the thrilling 1992/93 game with Tim May’s heroics with bat and ball in the heartbreaking loss, the hard fought Test against South Africa in 1993/94, Sanath Jayasuriya’s hard hitting second innings ton on his Test return in 1995/96.
Here’s an idea- how about the Australia Day Test return to Adelaide as a Day/night fixture, followed by a D/N Hobart or Canberra Test and a Perth Test? Cricket Australia is keen to reclaim February (as they should be) from the football codes, let’s do it with Test cricket and not an expanded, bloated BBL.
By the way, thoroughly enjoyed your recount of the 1968/69 Australia Day Test.
Thanks for the comments folks. Australia has been colonised for well over two centuries now, we’re coming into the third decade of the 21st century.
Instead of Prime Ministerial decrees about this must be only conducted on a certain date, lets be a mature nation, and have this debate. Only by open, nuanced discussion can we move ourselves forward into the contemporary world.
Glen!
Time to rename it BAD (British Australia Day)
Tests were good though and the World Series Cup in the mid to late 80s, when it meant something, had the place rocking.
Well said Glen. There is quite a debate abut what is the best day for a national celebration. I was intrigued by the view of an Aboriginal woman interviewed in the media recently. She wanted February 14, that being the day the natives in Hawaii ate Captain Cook in 1779! (They did kill him first of course) Captain Cook started the whole issue in the first place with his declaration in 1770. January 26 is also Republic Day for Indians – it was on this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered then on offer from the British Regime. We risk Virat Kohli et al thinking we are having a holiday in a couple of weeks specifically in honour of them!
Interesting, Glen!
No easy answer for most people.
But for me it is easy: I cannot have Australia Day on Jan 26.
I would like Australia Day to end up in the same wheelie bin as the Joh Bjelke Peterson regime, the Gordon below Franklin Dam, the Cronulla and Lambing Flat riots, the Vietnam war and Bronnie’s helicopter.
It is one of those embarrassing things like “God save the King/Queen” and people who have never been there referring to England as “home”. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, apart from the holiday, which comes right at the end of the school holidays. Keep things that mean something, it’s too hot for anything much, outdoor concerts will only lead to sunburn and dehydration and celebrating nationalism will only lead to argy bargy…
Let’s celebrate the long weekend in January and ignore it!
Concur with above comment!
Yes, Australia day was a weekend not at Day. I remember a cartoon from my youth of Capt Arthur Phillip coming into Sydney Cove on a boat with a flag for the big declaration and someone stopping him and saying, “no not yet it is not a Monday!”
Glen,
Several things. I don’t think there’s anything sinister in play being scheduled for the 27/01 in either 1975 or 1969, or whenever else. As for the historical specifics, Phillip officially hoisted the flag in Sydney Cove on 26/01/1788.
I think it is terrific that we have this debate about the legitimacy of Australia Day. There will be one of two outcomes.
1. After robust debate, 26/01 will be found to be on solid ground & will remain as the date for Australia’s foundation.
2. After robust debate, 26/01 will be proven to be a flimsy excuse of a date, &/or someone else will put forward a much more authentic date for Australia Day.
Whatever way it spins, hopefully a majority of Australians will get behind whichever outcome proves superior in argument.
Personally, I like what Noel Pearson said, or at least, I think it was he who suggested it last year.
Pearson said we should have two consecutive Australia Days on 25/01 & 26/01.
25/01 would be Indigenous Australia Day, commemorating the last day of complete Indigenous ownership of Australia, for want of a better word.
26/01 would be European Australia Day, commemorating the first day of European occupation, for better or worse.
One thing I would like to say, is that we should understand & incorporate our Indigenous culture much more than we have to the present. Indigenous culture is much more refined than we Europeans appreciate.
We can’t unchange the sins of our past, but we can always make for a better future.
Andrew,
Just on Federation Day being also Australia Day, aren’t we already being dudded?
Federation Day is also New Year’s Day, but we should get another holiday for Federation Day.
In true Australian tradition then, if New Year’s Day, Federation Day & Australia Day were to all fall on 01/01, then we should have 3 successive holidays on the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of January. And more if a full weekend is involved!
Ta Sheek.
I see nothing sinister about what ever day cricket takes place around Australia Day. However i’m cognisant of the big change of emphasis from what was a long weekend, to what’s now portrayed in some circles as along standing designated day.
Let’s have the cricket, let’s have a nuanced debate, as we’re doing in the context of this posting.
Glen!
Great taking us back to that ancient, forgotten period of the 1960s; eight ball overs, and booing bowlers for mankads.
As for Australia Day, for me every year, it was a Monday public holiday. Sleep in, roll out of bed at 10am, turn on the tele and watch the Superbowl until 2pm. It was heaven on a stick for a gridiron fan.
Then someone decided it shouldn’t necessarily be a Monday, which reduced the chances of it being Superbowl Monday to one in seven. Now the wise heads in America have put it back one week, so there’s no chance of a public holiday. If we want to watch the Rams v Patriots live on Monday, we’ll have to take a sicky. But even that’s more Australian than Australia Day.
If January 26 doesn’t appeal, then just pick any day out of a hat, and call that Australia Day. I’m sure other countries do that. That’s what we do for the Queen’s birthday.
As today is the public holiday for Australia Day, the title of this article got me thinking what is Australia’s best Test cricket team?
Obviously, “The Invincibles” Australian cricket team in England in 1948 is famous for being the only Test match side to play an entire tour of England without losing a match.
However, the following Australian Test cricket team of players would be extremely hard to beat, had they played together. In this case, I believe a team of champions can beat a champion team:
Here is the Australian Test Cricket Team of Champions:
David Warner
Matthew Hayden
Don Bradman (c)
Steve Smith
Steve Waugh
Ricky Ponting
Adam Gilchrist (wk)
Shane Warne
Pat Cummins
Dennis Lillie
Glenn McGrath
12th man: Keith Miller
Concussion sub: Adam Voges
Coach: John Buchanan
This team could play a match against the Champion Rest of the World Test Team, which would also be extremely hard to beat.
Here is the Rest Of The World Test Cricket Team Of Champions:
Gordon Greenidge
Desmond Haynes
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Kumar Sangakarra (wk)
Jacques Kallis
Garfield Sobers
Dale Steyn
Curtly Ambrose
Jasprit Bumrah
Muttiah Muralitharan
12th man: Viv Richards
Concussion sub: Wasim Akram
Coach: Gary Kirsten
Both teams were selected for team balance.
This exhibition match will be played at the MCG on Australia Day.
The game will be televised live on channel 9’s Wide World of Sports.
Entertainment will be provided by the songs “C’Mon Aussie C’Mon” by The Mojo Singers and “Out Of This World”, by Sean Paul & Kes.
Transport for the Rest of the World Test Cricket team of Champions will be World Airways and the transport for the Australian Test Cricket of Champions will include arriving in Toyotas, Mazdas and Ford Rangers.
The after match meal will include a choice of roast lamb, meat pies, sausage rolls, barbecue prawns, steak and vegetables and groceries from Foodworld.
Let’s hope for a good game of cricket that will be out of this world!
Anon, I’m sorry but I don’t agree with you. Firstly, your premise is incorrect that the 1948 Australians, while a team of champions, wasn’t also a champion team. You then pick two players – Warner & Voges – who would not seriously make most folk’s top 3-4 Aussie all-time XIs.
Voges is a constant reminder to us that while stats are useful, they should never be taken as the gospel truth!
You then make the same mistake with your world XI. Greenidge & Haynes were a fine opening pair, but far from the best. Have you not heard of Hobbs & Sutcliffe for example? And what’s this obsession with Tendulkar? Yes, best Indian bat but not necessarily a world all-time XI certainty! What about G.Headley or G.Pollock?
Also, I’m a traditionalist, the keeper should be selected on keeping ability first, batting is a bonus. There’s never been a better keeper-batsman than England’s Alan Knott. And that’s not just my opinion. Sangakkara did a useful job as a stand-in keeper, but you shouldn’t pick him as a regular keeper.
Of course, opinions are subjective, but I think you could have done a better job with more considered thought.
Anon, for what it’s worth, I agree with you 100% about balance. Furthermore, any all-time national XI must, absolutely must have 5 frontline bowlers, thus requiring at least one genuine all-rounder.
With respect to Oz, after Bradman, the next player you pick is Keith Miller. This then allows you to pick 2 frontline pacemen & spinners.
My all-time Australian XI:
Bob Simpson
Matt Hayden (left bat)
Don Bradman (c)
Steve Smith
Greg Chappell
Keith Miller (vc)
Adam Gilchrist (wk – left bat)
Shane Warne
Dennis Lillee
Bill O’Reilly (left bat)
Glenn McGrath
My all-time Australian back-up XI:
Victor Trumper
Arthur Morris (left bat)
Ricky Ponting (vc)
Charlie Macartney (left spinner)
Allan Border (c – left bat)
Steve Waugh
Ian Healy (wk)
Alan Davidson (left bat/paceman)
Ray Lindwall
Pat Cummins
Clarrie Grimmett
Note: Macartney makes up frontline 5 bowlers as 2nd spinner. Depth of oz cricket is awesome with so many outstanding players still omitted.
Oh, what the heck, 3rd XI:
Bill Ponsford
Bill Lawry (left bat)
Neil Harvey (left bat)
Stan McCabe
Michael Clarke (vc)
Jack Gregory (left paceman)
Don Tallon (wk)
Richie Benaud (c)
Hugh Trumble
Jeff Thomson (fastest bowler I’ve ever seen)
Fred Spofforth
Ponsford & Lawry are snail pace openers, but stats say they go here!
Interesting additions chaps. I might add my two bobs worth, in a small, measured manner.
Yep, I totally concur with Sheek. Adam Voges statistically has a fine record, and if we’re looking at statistics alone he’s a worthy member of the squad. However if you break down what he scored, who he scored it against, he’s a very lucky selection.
Jeff Thomson, yep the fastest bowler I’ve ever seen. His peak seasons were 74-75, when he did his shoulder playing tennis in Adelaide, though still seemed as fast in the 75-76 series against the Windies.Then he collided with Alan Turner on the opening day of the Pakistan test, and never seemed to bowl at the same pace again.
However I really can’t recall his pace being measured in those two seasons. My recollection of his pace being measured was in a nets session, i think was in Perth during the WSC days in the 78-79 season. I reckon a group of bowlers had a ‘bowl off’ measured by a speed gun. If i’m right Jeff Thomson was measured at 160 kph, 100 miles an hour for an old bloke like me.
No Gregory surname in any Australian team? Mitchell Johnson?
Glen!
Thanks for the feedback. The Gregory was Jack, allrounder from the 1920s. Statically, his stats are very close to Miller’s, especially 1st class, so he’s not far behind Miller.
You’re right about Thommo. By the time he was first measured in 1975 in Perth, that shoulder injury the previous summer gad robbed him of a tad of pace.
By the time he was measured again in 1978, another shoulder injury in 76 had robbed him of a bit more pace.
Thommo needs to be included for sheer fear factor. But unlike Lille, he didn’t try to remodel his game to suit other conditions.
For Thommo, it was flat out or nothing!
Whoops, sorry, blinked and missed Jack Gregory, a fine cricketer of the 1920’s. Seniors moment.
The Gregory family were a key member of Australian teams for nigh on half a century.
Sheek I’m having another seniors moment forgetting Thommo being measured in 1975. Would I surmise that coincides with the WACA test that summer? It didn’t matter how fast he, or any Australians, bowled then, the ball came off the bat even faster. Roy Fredericks hooking the second ball of the innings for 6 set the tone.
Yep, Thommo had only one way to bowl and at his peak it was a sight we’ve not seen prior or since.
Glen!
Thanks for the feedback, Sheek.
Firstly, I believe you have misunderstood what I typed. I actually meant that the 1948 Invincibles were a champion Test team and I came up with a team of champions Test team, because my selected team never player together as a Test team. You were right however in that I was implying that my selected Team of Australian Test Champions would beat the Champion Australian Invincibles Test Team. It’s now pointless because I’ve included Bradman in my team as well, and now Miller, as per my comments below. It’s also pointless because these teams will never play a match against each other in reality.
In all honesty, we’ll never know because you can’t compare different eras anyway. It’s a bit like with the men’s professional tennis. You can’t say that Alcaraz, Sinner, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are better than Laver, Sampras and Agassi, Rosewall, Connors, McEnroe, Borg and Newcombe because the game of tennis, like cricket has changed a lot over the years with equipment, different conditions, coaches, etc. that the players of 50-60 years ago and longer, didn’t have in their eras.
I completely disagree with your assessment of Tendulkar. He was an absolute freak, playing 200 Test matches and scoring over 50 Test centuries. He played many brilliant Test innings.
I realise other players had better Test averages than Greenidge and Haynes, but as a pair, they really got on with the game, which is what you need to win Test matches nowadays.
Adam Voges was more tongue in cheek. After all, he was selected as the concussion sub and I could have easily left out the concussion sub. I wanted to reward him for his Test average of 61 from Test matches and he hit his runs quickly enough. More importantly, he batted very well in Australian Test conditions, where the MCG is the venue for the pretend exhibition match against the Team of Champions Rest of the World Test team.
Although Marcus Labuschagne did a brilliant job as the concussion sub for Steve Smith in the Ashes Test series in England, he was overlooked for the concussion sub because his Test average has now gone down to 47 and he doesn’t move the game forward like he once did. The concussion sub is more of a specialist position, as in like for like. I wanted to not only reward players on both teams that had very good Test averages but just as importantly, players that were match winners on their day like Adam Gilchrist and Kumar Sangakarra, who averaged 57 in Test cricket.
G Headley and G Pollock both had great Test batting averages like Voges, but also played like Voges, they only played a little over 20 Tests. That’s why Voges was left out of my best Test 12 Australian Test Cricket team of Champions. Perhaps G Headley or G Pollock could take the place of Wasim Akram as the concussion sub for the Team of Champions Rest of the World Test cricket team.
I still basically stand by both the Australian Test teams and Rest of The World Test teams, that I have published. If I had to make one change to the Australian Test Team of Champions, I would replace Steve Waugh with Allan Border, because Border had to contend with the West Indies at their peak, with their fast bowlers. I had considered Keith Miller as the all rounder, but I decided against it because the highly successful Australian Test team from the mid 1990s to the mid 2000s didn’t play an all rounder. I also thought the likes of Bradman, Ponting, Smith and now Border would be a nightmare for the opposition Test fast bowlers. That’s why I originally made Keith Miller the 12th man.
However, after more thinking, I have decided that not only shall I drop Steve Waugh and now Border from my best Australian Test team of Champions and Keith Miller can now bat at number 6, as Sobers is batting number 6 as the all rounder for the Rest of The World Test team of Champions. Ponting can now bat at number 5. Border can now be 12th man and Steve Waugh can now be the concussion sub.
To me, it’s all about winning big Test matches. Gilchrist and Sangakarra might not be the best Test wicket keepers of all time, but along with David Warner, they often put their team in winning positions. I didn’t include Head and he can be inconsistent, but I have a lot of time for Travis Head, who hit match winning Test centuries against India.
Just out of curiosity, I would like to know what Sheek’s complete Test Rest of the World Test Team would be, as he’s published only 3 Australian Test teams.
Also, what are Glen’s best Australian Test Team of Champion players and Glen’s best Rest of the World Test Team of Champions?
Anon, I didn’t say it this time but often when I make these selections I end by saying something like: only God knows for sure, but she’s not telling!
Hi Glen, yes, the speed records coincided with the WACA Perth test of 1975.
Thommo was clearly the fastest out of himself, Lillee, Robert’s & Holding.
I don’t want to guess the order of the others. I used to know it, but can’t remember exactly.
Vielen Danke Anon for asking me to again be creative.
I’ll pick two teams of the best Test players I saw. This would exclude players like Graham Pollock, Eddie Barlow and Barry Richards; I saw them play WSC, but not play Tests. Give the old bloke a bit of time to attend to other duties, then I’ll put together two Test teams. I will pick both sides to win Tests, not to not lose Tests, so Geoff Boycott is gone. Though averages will be important my primary criteria will be what I recall seeing in the Test arena.
Glen!
Anon/Glen,
I think you also asked me for my world team, or was it Glen? While I’m happy to pick national XIs, selecting world XIs is fraught with so much danger, since there are so many competitive options. Anyway, here goes.
All-time World 1st XI:
Barry Richards (RSA)
Jack Hobbs (Eng)
Don Bradman (Aus-c)
Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)
Graeme Pollock (RSA)
Gary Sobers (WIN-vc)
Adam Gilchrist (Aus-wk)
Malcolm Marshall (WIN)
Jasprit Bumrah (Ind)
Mutiah Muralitharan (SLA)
Sydney Barnes (Eng)
All-time World 2nd XI:
Sunil Gavaskar (Ind)
Len Hutton (Eng)
George Headley (WIN)
Wally Hammond (Eng-vc)
Kumar Sangakkara (SLA)
Imran Khan (Pak-c)
Alan Knott (Eng-wk)
Richard Hadlee (NZL)
Wasim Akram (Pak)
Shane Warne (Aus)
Dale Steyn (RSA)
Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Curtley Amvrose & Joel Garner (all Windies) are probably the most exceptional omissions. Not to mention our own Dennis Lillee & Glenn McGrath.
The 1st XI has better bowling variety but a longer tail, although they have Bradman! The 2nd XI bats deeper but with no Bradman. I would like a 2nd spinner for the 2nd XI but damned if I know who I would drop!
In the 1st XI, both Sobers & Barnes could switch to spin apart from pace. Some readers might argue the 2nd XI pace attack has an edge.
I assure readers I’m fully aware of all the pros & cons of each selection, which is why this exercise is so fraught. I will comment only on one player at this time – Barry Richards.
Richards only played 4 official tests but those of you who like me, saw him as a teenager & in my early 20s, he was the most brilliant opener I have ever seen. And I saw Gavaskar, Sehwag, Boycott, Greenidge, Haynes, Fredericks, Hayden, Simpson & Lawry to name just a few.
I believe never to rest with my selections. Tomorrow or next week, or next month, I might pick slightly different teams. But today, this is what they are! Cheers.
Hi Glen, yes, the speed records coincided with the WACA Perth test of 1975.
Thommo was clearly the fastest out of himself, Lillee, Robert’s & Holding.
I don’t want to guess the order of the others. I used to know it, but can’t remember exactly.
Guys, I completely forgot Jaco Kallis. He would have to be in the 2nd XI, probably in place of Hammond. I would now drop Barnes back to 2nds, knowing how he could bowl spin as well as pace, & promote maybe Steyn to 1sts.
The constant battle for balance is never-ending!
Well two teams of Test match winners; here we go.
Australia
J Langer
M Hayden
I Chappell (C)
S Smith
A Border
S Waugh
A Gilchrist
DK Lillee
S Warne
J Thomson
G McGrath
12th man & concussion substitute: The old brain hasn’t worked them out.
The team is self explanatory but I’ll add some points re a few players. The opening pair were a powerful combination who put Australia on top in many tests. Matthew Hayden retiring with an average of 50 is something many other fine openers never managed.
Ian Chappell. He rebuilt a struggling side that powered itself to number one in the world. As a batsmen he scored quickly, playing us into winning positions. As a captain he led to win, not not lose. Yes, Greg was a more classical batsmen but never had the leadership skills Ian had. Captain of this team.
Allan Border was renowned more as a batsmen who saved us, rather than won tests , but look at the era he played in. Australian cricket fell to a dreadfully low ebb, he pulled us back together captaining a World Cup victory, then regaining the Ashes in England.
Jeff Thomson was like Hayley’s Comet. That period from November 1974 until December 1976 he terrorised batsmen around the world. It was the Gabba test in 1974 when he was unleashed back into the test arena. The yorker that skittled Tony Greig for 2 in the second innings of that test was superb. It wasn’t as mesmerising as Shane Warne’s ball of the century to Mike Gatting, but it was a statement Australia was back as a powerful test nation. Now the Rest Of The World.
Rest Of The World
A Cook
D Haynes
IVA Richards
J Kallis
A Greig
I Botham
A B De Villiers
I Khan (C)
W Akram
A Kumble
M Holding
12 th man D Steyn, Concussion substitute J Root
Again the side is pretty self explanatory but a few points.
Alister Cook made a huge mess of our bowlers in their 2010-2011 Ashes victory. He made 33 tons, 57 half centuries, averaging 45.35. In many of England’s victories in his time the runs he scored at the top set up those wins.
Sachin Tendulkar 100 international tons, 51 at Test level. 15, 921 runs at 53.78. Jacques Kallis the most under rated Test all rounder. 45 Test centuries, 3rd highest Test run scorer, 23 times Man of the Match at Test level: a record. Add to that the only player having 250 wickets at both Test & ODI level. Say no more.
Tony Greig, though not a good captain , was a superb all rounder. Medium pace, off spin, fine close in fielder, test centurion. He was followed by Ian Botham, another superb all rounder who wasn’t a good captain. But I still recall his demolition of us in 1981, I remember the first few years of his career before injuries cruelled him.
AB De Villiers, not as good a keeper as A Knott, or Boucher, but a good one. However once he changed gloves and put a bat in his hand he was a match winner.
Imran Khan. A wonderful all rounder, the captain of this team. Pakistan have always had wonderful players, have had good sides, but only Imran Khan could lead them to win a World Cup. In his years as captain only the wonderful Windies team stopped Pakistan reaching the top of the world Test teams.
I may call it stumps there, happy to expand as required.
Glen!
Glen,
Solid Aussie team, but I don’t completely agree, which is normal in these situations. I don’t know if you know this, but I’m happy to share. Bradman once opined that where all things were equal, you pick a right & lefthand opening pair, for obvious reasons.
While Hayden & Langer were outstanding in their time together, when picking all-time XIs, you have the luxury of picking right & lefthand combos I think, right down to about the 8th or 9th XI. This is a luxury almost no other cricketing country enjoys.
I love your defence of Chappelli. When picking my FAVOURITE all-time Aussie XI, Chappelli would be #3 & captain. But when picking all-time XIs on achievement, I just can’t do it. Chappelli did average 50 at #3, but so did Bradman, Ponting & I think Labushagne is still averaging 50, but I’ll have to check.
Then you have Clem Hill from over 100 years ago, who has to be judged by the standards of his time (like Trumper), not by today’s standards. Also love Border & S.Waugh, great team men, truly great team men.
Not so sure about Smith, although you can’t fault his stats as our next best batter after Bradman. I could be wrong, but sometimes I wonder if Smith is really a good team man, or more about himself.
Even though I love Thommo for his fear factor, I must pick Cummins ahead of him, who is clearly a superior all-round paceman.
I won’t comment about the World XI other than to be pleased you acknowledged Greig, who I think was highly underrated. Sadly, Greig’s career tailed off as his off-field interests ballooned. I live close to Waverley (now Eastern Suburbs) & I know quite a few guys who played with grey when he was at the club.
Everyone I’ve talked to about Greig speaks so highly of him without exception.
My favourite intact Baggy Greens XI comes from the mid-70s. It is: Ian Redpath (vc), Rick McCosker, Ian Chappell (c), Greg Chappell, Ross Edwards, Doug Walters, Rod Marsh (wk), Max Walker, Dennis Lillee, Ashley Mallet, Jeff Thomson.
Here’s an amazing bit of useless but fascinating trivia for readers. This XI, theses same exact 11 players, only ever played once together in 16 tests between1974/75 &1975/76. That’s right!
The only time this exact same 11 played together was in the 4th test vs England at SCG , the New Year’s Day test of 1975. It was McCosker’s test debut replacing W.Edwards. R.Edwards was relegated to 12th man in Adelaide with Jenner coming in, then Thomson missed the last test with injury (Dymock coming in).
In England, Turner replaced Redpath, then for the series against the Windies, Redpath returned but Edwards retired & Walters missed the entire series with a knee injury. Gilmour mostly replaced Walker while new chums Cosier & Yallop were blooded.
Life & sport can indeed be strange!
Ta Sheek. Appreciated.
I never saw Lawry, and Simpson, open together. I have vague memories of watching Lawry bat on TV, certainly recall Simpson during the WSC years.
I’m old, but Clem Hill ?!? I said i’d pick a team(s) of players I saw: Clem Hill was slightly before my time.
How did I leave out Ricky Ponting ?!? But who would I drop for him?
I think your comments about Steve Smith ring very true. But, he has the runs on the board.
Yep, those 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons were great. Even watching the first of those summers, and much of the second, on B&W television doesn’t detract at all. We had a strong team. Memories.
Glen!