Travis Friend.
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I remember the first Steve Smith. IMO, he really was ok as a one day opener, when in form but apart from that, not Test standard, but when we were really s**t like this summer gone ,we had him open in a Test or two. Very similar ill conceived idea like Finch this summer. Probably around 1984 I reckon he opened in a Test v West Indies when they still had 4 truly fearsome fast bowlers.
Is that what happened to Smith. Do not recall seeing his name much when find youtube videos of those Rebel tours.As a youngster I went along to the 'G one summer's day to watch the Vics play NSW in a shield match. It was horrifically hot and the Vics felt it as they bowled and were ripped apart. Smith made 200 in the day and appeared to be a new superstar. Mind you, even Peter Toohey made a hundred in that innings.
I remember feeling terribly sorry for the toothless Victorian bowling attack, especially for one bloke who looked nothing like a fast bowler but kept giving his all. When he was fielding at fine leg between overs I gave him a can of coke which he was very grateful for. I naturally assumed he would barely play for Victoria again, whereas I thought Smith would be in the national team for years to come.
I got that wrong. Smith buggered off to South Africa and Merv Hughes took 200 wickets for his country.
Is that what happened to Smith. Do not recall seeing his name much when find youtube videos of those Rebel tours.
Haysman, Hughes, Taylor, Wessels, Yallop etc ???
Travis Friend.
I think he would have gone on to have a decent career for Zimbabwe if not for their player strike.
Here's another obscure Zimbo from that era Gus Mackay who was complete s**t
His career highlights
I went to that game!Mluleke Nkala was arguably worse.
Mackay played in the famous match where Dougie Marillier scooped two balls over his own head off Glenn McGrath to almost chase down 302
I went to that game!
Remember beforehand thinking well this probably going to be a waste of time spending the day watching a dull flogging.. but it ended up being a great high scoring contest with a couple of great centuries from a West Aussie and a visitor. Plus it went right down to the wire with a brand new cricket shot wheeled out on the international stage!
Was Henry Olonga actually good, or is this just in my head?
Stood up to Mugabe at a time when it could be hazardous to your health to do so. He deserves eternal respect for that alone, Andy Flower too.
Ebrahim is a bit of a stretch. Averaged 22 & 20 in tests and ODIs respectivelyThat Zimbabwe squad ran through a few players in the mid 90's to early 00's but geez they would give some of the associate sides of today a touch up imho.
Obivously built around the powerful Flower brothers (Grant was a more than handy player imho) on top of Campbell and Heath Streak with a number of handy to good role players in support.
Marrilier, Guy Whitall, Rennie, Ebrahim, Goodwin ended up playing a fair bit (post international cricket) for WA iirc.
That Zimbabwe squad ran through a few players in the mid 90's to early 00's but geez they would give some of the associate sides of today a touch up imho.
Obivously built around the powerful Flower brothers (Grant was a more than handy player imho) on top of Campbell and Heath Streak with a number of handy to good role players in support.
Marrilier, Guy Whitall, Rennie, Ebrahim, Goodwin ended up playing a fair bit (post international cricket) for WA iirc.
Surprised he's no relation to Cameron Gannon the Qld/Heat bowler who had to restructure his action due to throwing a few years back.Sam Gannon. Left arm seamer. 3 tests 1977-78. WSC days and selectors plucked him out of no where. I remember him dropping an absolute soda and bowling trash to some good Indian batsmen. Got dropped after 3 tests and never heard of him again.
Was Henry Olonga actually good, or is this just in my head?
I feel his reputation far preceeded his actual output but he did play at a time when we saw some of the games greatest players.
His claim to fame was a brilliant 5/70 (Mongia, Sidhu, Azahruddin, Ganguly, R.Singh) that set up a brilliant win for Zimbabwe against India at Harare in 98.
Stood up to Mugabe at a time when it could be hazardous to your health to do so. He deserves eternal respect for that alone, Andy Flower too.
This.
Andy Flower’s actions took a hell of a lot of guts - but for a black man to do it, that was something else altogether.
Surprised he's no relation to Cameron Gannon the Qld/Heat bowler who had to restructure his action due to throwing a few years back.
Was Henry Olonga actually good, or is this just in my head?