Who’s this sprightly figure seen out and about in Christchurch last week with sparklers in his cake? Celebrating 97 years young with son Bruce and kin was Et Al fave Neil Harvey, outliver of all his fellow Invincibles, two wives and a biographer.
Australia’s oldest Test cricketer, I’m pleased to report, remains sharp as ever. Every Saturday, he peruses the form guide closely, chooses his winners, but never actually places a bet - just like the good Methodist boy he was, growing up with six brothers and a sister in the MacRobertson’s watchman’s house at 198 Argyle Street, Fitzroy.
Long-term subscribers will recall our event in January pre-consecrating the laneway adjacent to the house where the boys played their childhood games, which I consider Australian sport’s most historic improvised space - if you’re new to these parts, check it out. The wheels of City of Yarra grind exceeding small, but we should shortly have confirmed the plan to formally designate Harvey Lane, already carried by popular acclamation.
If you also recall, we were joined that day by Et Al’s favourite modern left-hander - with apologies to Heady and Ben Duckett, Beth Mooney, close friend of Neil’s grand niece Kirby Short.
So how perfect that Beth should have marked Neil’s birthday with a hundred of which the great man himself would have been proud? His contemporaries always raved about the 96 that Neil made against Pakistan, and the mighty Fazal Mahmood, on the mat at Dhaka in 1959 - Richie Benaud thought he never saw his vice-captain bat better.
As Harv went one better in years this week, Beth was reviving Australia from seven for 76, also against Pakistan, with 109 in 114 balls, spiriting them to a comeback victory. With India’s defeat overnight at the hands of South Africa, by the way, Australia are top of the table in the Women’s World Cup. Pat’s back might be on the rack, but Neil Harvey lives and Aussies lead, and that should be enough good news for anyone.
I’m new to et al this week. Nothing like the pending Ashes to motivate me. Love these stories. The Aussie women really are like a Hydra.
Terrific read - thanks Gideon.
I had the privilege of meeting Neil a couple of times years ago. What a lovely fellow he is.