One Test Wonders

[Rabish Binney]

Michael Neser looking like a candidate to join the 1 test club after Boland's strong performances in the Ashes. Id also have him behind Richardson when fit.

The one that sticks out a bit recently who might not be able to add to their games played is Will Pucovski unfortunately. Long road back from all these concussions. Will probably have a strong case for most talented on that list in the past 30 odd years.

A couple on that list I wouldn't have a clue who they were if they walked right past me. Had completely forgot about Shaun Young and Peter George. I had to do a double take when I see photos of Shaun Young in a baggy green.

Will playing in the Vic vs WA shield match today. Made 22

Jeez I hope he can overcome the concussion problems.

 

[Tyberious Funk]

Michael Neser looking like a candidate to join the 1 test club after Boland's strong performances in the Ashes. Id also have him behind Richardson when fit.

Michael Nesser looks set to go down in the tradition of handy domestic bowlers that only got a single shot at Test cricket -- alongside Chadd Sayers, Joe Menie, John Hastings, Clint McKay and James Faulkner. At least McKay and Faulkner had decent stints in ODIs. I suppose that's better than being like McGain, Casson or Cullen Bailey who had pretty mediocre first class careers but got a chance in our desperation to find the next Shane Warne.

On that note, researching Faulkner I discovered that he is still only 31-32. How did this guy disappear off the radar so badly that he hasn't played a FC match in almost 5 years.

 

[Gough]

Michael Nesser looks set to go down in the tradition of handy domestic bowlers that only got a single shot at Test cricket -- alongside Chadd Sayers, Joe Menie, John Hastings, Clint McKay and James Faulkner. At least McKay and Faulkner had decent stints in ODIs. I suppose that's better than being like McGain, Casson or Cullen Bailey who had pretty mediocre first class careers but got a chance in our desperation to find the next Shane Warne.

On that note, researching Faulkner I discovered that he is still only 31-32. How did this guy disappear off the radar so badly that he hasn't played a FC match in almost 5 years.

Jon Hastings opened the bowling in a Test at the WACA which implies everything he wasn't as a bowler.

 

[Woody15]

Jon Hastings opened the bowling in a Test at the WACA which implies everything he wasn't as a bowler.

I was at that test for a couple of days. Hastings was fielding at fine leg, no more than 3m away from a couple of young kids who were asking for his autograph. Fence was pretty close to that fine leg boundary.

Asking politely "Mr Hastings! Mr Hastings! Can we have your autograph?"

Didn't even acknowledge them. Turned around and looked at them a couple of times when getting a drink, but didn't respond to them.

I guess he must have been making the most of his test experience knowing it may have been his only match.

 

[big_e]

Michael Nesser looks set to go down in the tradition of handy domestic bowlers that only got a single shot at Test cricket -- alongside Chadd Sayers, Joe Menie, John Hastings, Clint McKay and James Faulkner. At least McKay and Faulkner had decent stints in ODIs. I suppose that's better than being like McGain, Casson or Cullen Bailey who had pretty mediocre first class careers but got a chance in our desperation to find the next Shane Warne.

On that note, researching Faulkner I discovered that he is still only 31-32. How did this guy disappear off the radar so badly that he hasn't played a FC match in almost 5 years.

The one I feel sorry for is Sayers. His one test being immediately after Sandpapergate, which would have been the most deflating experience.

 

[Gough]

I was at that test for a couple of days. Hastings was fielding at fine leg, no more than 3m away from a couple of young kids who were asking for his autograph. Fence was pretty close to that fine leg boundary.

Asking politely "Mr Hastings! Mr Hastings! Can we have your autograph?"

Didn't even acknowledge them. Turned around and looked at them a couple of times when getting a drink, but didn't respond to them.

I guess he must have been making the most of his test experience knowing it may have been his only match.

Not signing on the boundary at the WACA, has he never heard of Dennis Lillee?

 

[corbies]

The one I feel sorry for is Sayers. His one test being immediately after Sandpapergate, which would have been the most deflating experience.

And for the whole match he had to put up with Shane Warne saying he isn't quick enough to take wickets.

 

[Tyberious Funk]

The one I feel sorry for is Sayers. His one test being immediately after Sandpapergate, which would have been the most deflating experience.

I don't know if would have been deflating. But it sure was rough

 

[sherb]

Michael Nesser looks set to go down in the tradition of handy domestic bowlers that only got a single shot at Test cricket -- alongside Chadd Sayers, Joe Menie, John Hastings, Clint McKay and James Faulkner. At least McKay and Faulkner had decent stints in ODIs. I suppose that's better than being like McGain, Casson or Cullen Bailey who had pretty mediocre first class careers but got a chance in our desperation to find the next Shane Warne.

On that note, researching Faulkner I discovered that he is still only 31-32. How did this guy disappear off the radar so badly that he hasn't played a FC match in almost 5 years.

Check out John Watkins' first-class career.

John Watkins Profile - Cricket Player Australia | Stats, Records, Video

Read about John Watkins cricket player from Australia profile, stats, rankings, records, videos, photos at ESPNcricinfo

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[Rabish Binney]

And for the whole match he had to put up with Shane Warne saying he isn't quick enough to take wickets.

This.

Warne basically admitted on air that he had never seen Sayers bowl 'but had heard a lot about him'.....and then proceeded to shit can the bloke.

Loved Warney (as we all did) but that commentary was pretty ordinary.

 

[The Passenger]

Loved Warney (as we all did) but that commentary was pretty ordinary.

Warney talking tactics was brilliant, particularly around spin bowling. He genuinely had an insight into the game that so few had. Would have been a very good captain but it was just not a tenable position for CA to grant him given all the off field drama that came with him.

Warney talking opinions on a player was terrible. Felt like he made his opinion on a player within a day, sometimes within a few overs and that was it. Opinion cemented.* Not too mention his ability to bang on about a bloke become very grating very quickly.

Like most of our commentators he was much better when commentating in the UK. Our editorial teams in Australia obviously push the over the top commentary we are subjected to - across pretty much all sport. Michael Slater is another classic example of this one from Channel Nine cricket team.

With the start of the AFL and NRL seasons I've been VPNing back into Australia a fair bit to watch the matches and after a few years in the UK now I'd forgotten how brutal Australian TV is to watch. It is an absolute assault on your senses.

* This is a pretty common trait amongst a lot of cricket "elitists" who seem to have this view that they can look at a player and straight away know their level. A not so subtle reminder that it's a talent us mere mortals can not possess.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Simon Davis went wicketless in his only test but had a pretty decent one day career

Yeah he's the one for me; barely remembered and unloved but when Davis was selected to play for the Australian ODI team the country was at a very low ebb - Davis promptly came in helped the team to reverse their fortunes in the tri-series with stump-to-stump bowling.

His one Test in NZ was a non-event, 0 wickets and out for duck in his only Test innings.

 

[gordo2016]

Remember two Victorians who played only one test. Jeff Moss and Paul Hibbert, the tests being in WSC days. Looked it up and Moss made 22 and 38 N/o against Pakistan. Not bad, an average of 60. Remember him being a very aggressive batsmen, may have been ok in one dayers, but for some reason didn't get a chance.

 

[sherb]

Remember two Victorians who played only one test. Jeff Moss and Paul Hibbert, the tests being in WSC days. Looked it up and Moss made 22 and 38 N/o against Pakistan. Not bad, an average of 60. Remember him being a very aggressive batsmen, may have been ok in one dayers, but for some reason didn't get a chance.

Moss played his Test in Perth, the last Test Australia played before the big reconciliation between WSC & the establishment. It was a notable Test for several reasons. Firstly, it was the last 8-ball Test played. Also, it was the match where Alan Hurst "Mankaded" Sikhander Bakht, so in Australia's innings Sarfraz Nawaz retaliated by appealing for Handled the Ball against Andrew Hilditch (who was given out).

Hibbert could be a somewhat dour opening batsman, I recall he was noted for scoring a century for Victoria (against a touring side from memory) without scoring a boundary. He died young, in his 50s, the Wiki page says that he suffered from alcoholism and I read elsewhere he suffered from mental health issues as well. Very sad.

 

[Gough]

Moss played his Test in Perth, the last Test Australia played before the big reconciliation between WSC & the establishment. It was a notable Test for several reasons. Firstly, it was the last 8-ball Test played. Also, it was the match where Alan Hurst "Mankaded" Sikhander Bakht, so in Australia's innings Sarfraz Nawaz retaliated by appealing for Handled the Ball against Andrew Hilditch (who was given out).

Hibbert could be a somewhat dour opening batsman, I recall he was noted for scoring a century for Victoria (against a touring side from memory) without scoring a boundary. He died young, in his 50s, the Wiki page says that he suffered from alcoholism and I read elsewhere he suffered from mental health issues as well. Very sad.

McGilvray's preview of the 1979/80 season in the ABC cricket book is really interesting as he tries to put together an Australian side with all players available for the first time in two years.

 

[PhatBoy]

Warney talking tactics was brilliant, particularly around spin bowling. He genuinely had an insight into the game that so few had. Would have been a very good captain but it was just not a tenable position for CA to grant him given all the off field drama that came with him.

Warney talking opinions on a player was terrible. Felt like he made his opinion on a player within a day, sometimes within a few overs and that was it. Opinion cemented.* Not too mention his ability to bang on about a bloke become very grating very quickly.

Like most of our commentators he was much better when commentating in the UK. Our editorial teams in Australia obviously push the over the top commentary we are subjected to - across pretty much all sport. Michael Slater is another classic example of this one from Channel Nine cricket team.

With the start of the AFL and NRL seasons I've been VPNing back into Australia a fair bit to watch the matches and after a few years in the UK now I'd forgotten how brutal Australian TV is to watch. It is an absolute assault on your senses.

* This is a pretty common trait amongst a lot of cricket "elitists" who seem to have this view that they can look at a player and straight away know their level. A not so subtle reminder that it's a talent us mere mortals can not possess.

Warne’s arrogance/confidence served him so well as a bowler and even a batsman. But I think it would have been a severe handicap as a captain.


I think he would have really struggled in terms of flexibility and accepting when a tactic wasn’t working or when his perception of a player wasn’t being matched (for better or worse) by their output.

To give a really basic recent example, let’s take the England WI test that just finished. And no this isn’t me trying to say that Kraigg Brathwaite is some genius tactician. It’s just a example.

But let’s say Warne was captain of a team and a Kyle Mayers got shoehorned into the team to a) shore up the batting and b) provide some bowling relief, and Warne was not necessarily a massive fan of Mayers. Based on the things he would say and the views he struggled so hard to change, can you imagine Warne seeing Mayers take a couple of cheap wickets in the first innings and then bringing him on first change after 6 overs in the second and leaning on him as a █████ card? I can’t see it happening.

On the flip side if there was a part timer in the side that rarely got a go but Warne for some reason actually liked I could see him pulling a rabbit out of a hat and bringing him on more often and unexpectedly so he would have that in his favour

 

[big_e]

Warne’s arrogance/confidence served him so well as a bowler and even a batsman. But I think it would have been a severe handicap as a captain.


I think he would have really struggled in terms of flexibility and accepting when a tactic wasn’t working or when his perception of a player wasn’t being matched (for better or worse) by their output.

To give a really basic recent example, let’s take the England WI test that just finished. And no this isn’t me trying to say that Kraigg Brathwaite is some genius tactician. It’s just a example.

But let’s say Warne was captain of a team and a Kyle Mayers got shoehorned into the team to a) shore up the batting and b) provide some bowling relief, and Warne was not necessarily a massive fan of Mayers. Based on the things he would say and the views he struggled so hard to change, can you imagine Warne seeing Mayers take a couple of cheap wickets in the first innings and then bringing him on first change after 6 overs in the second and leaning on him as a █████ card? I can’t see it happening.

On the flip side if there was a part timer in the side that rarely got a go but Warne for some reason actually liked I could see him pulling a rabbit out of a hat and bringing him on more often and unexpectedly so he would have that in his favour

Warne's captaincy record was pretty good, though, wasn't it?

Bigger issue, IMO, would have been his influence on team selections.

 

[PhatBoy]

Warne's captaincy record was pretty good, though, wasn't it?

Bigger issue, IMO, would have been his influence on team selections.

In limited overs cricket it was, where you have to constantly juggle and change things. He had an instinct for tactics and so forth, 100 per cent.
But the restrictions of limited overs force you to change things up anyway - you don’t get a chance to be arrogant and bowl someone too long or whatever because you have to take them off in order to get through the other bowlers etc.

I could be totally wrong and of course there would always be the cases where Warne trusts his gut over everything else and some player randomly produces a match winning performance because Warne gave them the chance

 

[big_e]

In limited overs cricket it was, where you have to constantly juggle and change things. He had an instinct for tactics and so forth, 100 per cent.
But the restrictions of limited overs force you to change things up anyway - you don’t get a chance to be arrogant and bowl someone too long or whatever because you have to take them off in order to get through the other bowlers etc.

I could be totally wrong and of course there would always be the cases where Warne trusts his gut over everything else and some player randomly produces a match winning performance because Warne gave them the chance

Fair point.

 

[Mockcockpit]

Moss played his Test in Perth, the last Test Australia played before the big reconciliation between WSC & the establishment.

I think the last test matches played before the Packer players came back were in India. Long forgotten 6 test series. Times have changed.

IND vs AUS Cricket Scorecard, 6th Test at Mumbai, November 03 - 07, 1979

Get cricket scorecard of 6th Test, IND vs AUS, Australia tour of India 1979/80 at Wankhede Stadium, Bombay dated November 03 - 07, 1979.

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[Gough]

I think the last test matches played before the Packer players came back were in India. Long forgotten 6 test series. Times have changed.

IND vs AUS Cricket Scorecard, 6th Test at Mumbai, November 03 - 07, 1979

Get cricket scorecard of 6th Test, IND vs AUS, Australia tour of India 1979/80 at Wankhede Stadium, Bombay dated November 03 - 07, 1979.

www.espncricinfo.com

Wow, Jim Higgs scored four runs.

 

[sherb]

I think the last test matches played before the Packer players came back were in India. Long forgotten 6 test series. Times have changed.

IND vs AUS Cricket Scorecard, 6th Test at Mumbai, November 03 - 07, 1979

Get cricket scorecard of 6th Test, IND vs AUS, Australia tour of India 1979/80 at Wankhede Stadium, Bombay dated November 03 - 07, 1979.

www.espncricinfo.com

I could say I meant the last Test in Australia before the reconciliation, but I would be lying.

I actually did think though that there was another tour before the parties kissed and made up, but for some reason I had it in my head that it was to Pakistan. But that was the following season, post reconciliation.

 

[Gough]

I could say I meant the last Test in Australia before the reconciliation, but I would be lying.

I actually did think though that there was another tour before the parties kissed and made up, but for some reason I had it in my head that it was to Pakistan. But that was the following season, post reconciliation.

Winter 1979 was the World Cup in England.

 

[sherb]

Winter 1979 was the World Cup in England.

Yes, aware of that, I meant tours involving Tests.

The 79 WC Tour only involved a handful of matches (a few warm up one dayers and the WC matches - no Tests or even f-c matches).

 

[Blue1980]

Callum Fergusons was rather unfortunate