I wanted to interview Neil Harvey for a book a few years back, so I looked up his listed number and rang him up! He was very obliging about it. Now there's a throwback to a bygone time - I don't suppose any 21st century Test cricketer ever had a listed number.
Hi Gideon - I was in Melbourne for the Grand Final and after visiting Brunswick Oval on the Sunday to celebrate with the Fitzroy faithful I hopped on the tram down Brunswick St and made my way to Argyle St to check out Harvey Lane. Unfortunately it was blocked on both sides by the building works….I could barely make out the cobblestones on the street- here’s hoping it will be accessible next time I am in town
It's still there - behind the ramparts, as you say, but owned by the council rather than the developer and thus protected. We were lucky to get our look!
In 1962-63 I saw Neil Harvey bat (albeit briefly) in both innings of The Ashes Test at the MCG which was a special thrill because (besides the fact that he was a 1948 Invincible) I lived in Harvie St in the Cricketers Estate in Glen Waverley. The Shire of Mulgrave named the other streets after Lindwall, Compton and the unlucky Hammence and Landridge. With many of my late father’s 29/46th Battalion WW 11 army mates coming from Fitzroy, in the 1970s he unsuccessfully lobbied the then Waverley Council to correct the spelling mistake. This error seemed even worse when Robert Harvey, the grandson of Neil’s brother, Test cricketer Merv Harvey, won two AFL (Aussie Rules) Brownlow Medals. Now with Harvey Lane’s name soon to be confirmed, hopefully the City of Monash can rectify the mistake of its predecessors and finally change the spelling to Harvey Street.
Wonderful article. Living in Princes Hill, I can picture the many lanes teeming with kids and cricket games in the early 20th Century. Sadly, for many reasons it is not something that happens anymore. Growing up in Moonee Ponds there was always a street test match organised somewhere in the neighbourhood streets on Sunday afternoon. It was organised during morning Sunday School at the local church. For us, a greater priority than Godly matters.
Great yarn Gideon. You mention Neil peruses the form guide each Saturday morning. Do you. happen to know which one it is? Any chance it is the Winning Post?
Neil Harvey and Norm O'Neill were not only great batsmen and characters (in their own very different ways) but they were both exquisite fieldsmen. While much of the great game may have changed through the introduction of supersize bats and all the rest of "it", one thing has never changed. The ability to field a ball and rocket it back to the keeper horizontally while running at full speed. With Harvey and O'Neill on both sides of the wicket, NSW and Australia had two men who made taking a run a risky proposition and simultaneously thrilled those of us lucky to witness them in tandem.
Interesting photo from the Dhaka Test. All 11 of the fielding team in a fairly narrow frame. The bloke in the covers seems to be walking in with his hands behind his back! And a guess that there aren't any vacant seats in the non Modi size stadium.
Like Adorno saying after Auschwitz there is no more poetry - Trump is actually threatening Norway with tariffs etc if he doesn’t- after his outburst in the UN how could it even be considered-bring on the cricket!!
I wanted to interview Neil Harvey for a book a few years back, so I looked up his listed number and rang him up! He was very obliging about it. Now there's a throwback to a bygone time - I don't suppose any 21st century Test cricketer ever had a listed number.
Hi Gideon - I was in Melbourne for the Grand Final and after visiting Brunswick Oval on the Sunday to celebrate with the Fitzroy faithful I hopped on the tram down Brunswick St and made my way to Argyle St to check out Harvey Lane. Unfortunately it was blocked on both sides by the building works….I could barely make out the cobblestones on the street- here’s hoping it will be accessible next time I am in town
It's still there - behind the ramparts, as you say, but owned by the council rather than the developer and thus protected. We were lucky to get our look!
In 1962-63 I saw Neil Harvey bat (albeit briefly) in both innings of The Ashes Test at the MCG which was a special thrill because (besides the fact that he was a 1948 Invincible) I lived in Harvie St in the Cricketers Estate in Glen Waverley. The Shire of Mulgrave named the other streets after Lindwall, Compton and the unlucky Hammence and Landridge. With many of my late father’s 29/46th Battalion WW 11 army mates coming from Fitzroy, in the 1970s he unsuccessfully lobbied the then Waverley Council to correct the spelling mistake. This error seemed even worse when Robert Harvey, the grandson of Neil’s brother, Test cricketer Merv Harvey, won two AFL (Aussie Rules) Brownlow Medals. Now with Harvey Lane’s name soon to be confirmed, hopefully the City of Monash can rectify the mistake of its predecessors and finally change the spelling to Harvey Street.
Isn't that shocking? I stand with you, Jim.
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.
Wonderful article. Living in Princes Hill, I can picture the many lanes teeming with kids and cricket games in the early 20th Century. Sadly, for many reasons it is not something that happens anymore. Growing up in Moonee Ponds there was always a street test match organised somewhere in the neighbourhood streets on Sunday afternoon. It was organised during morning Sunday School at the local church. For us, a greater priority than Godly matters.
Great yarn Gideon. You mention Neil peruses the form guide each Saturday morning. Do you. happen to know which one it is? Any chance it is the Winning Post?
I work for the paper, if we are his guide of choice, I'll see if he wants a chat to appear in our pages.
Just went to 198 Argyle Street this morning. If I got the right place, it appears the builders have concreted over the cobblestones!
Neil Harvey and Norm O'Neill were not only great batsmen and characters (in their own very different ways) but they were both exquisite fieldsmen. While much of the great game may have changed through the introduction of supersize bats and all the rest of "it", one thing has never changed. The ability to field a ball and rocket it back to the keeper horizontally while running at full speed. With Harvey and O'Neill on both sides of the wicket, NSW and Australia had two men who made taking a run a risky proposition and simultaneously thrilled those of us lucky to witness them in tandem.
Thank you for the link to the Dhaka scorecard. Is it difficult for CricInfo to include balls faced and time batted from this era GCJDH please?
Great update Gideon. The Harvey Lane stories remain my favorite in Year 1 of Et Al lore!
So much to enjoy in the life and extended family of an amazing Australian.
Thanks so much
Terrific read - thanks Gideon.
I had the privilege of meeting Neil a couple of times years ago. What a lovely fellow he is.
Interesting photo from the Dhaka Test. All 11 of the fielding team in a fairly narrow frame. The bloke in the covers seems to be walking in with his hands behind his back! And a guess that there aren't any vacant seats in the non Modi size stadium.
Sorry to say Gideon but our man missed out on Nobel prize in Lit
Still time for El Trumpo to win the Nobel Peace Prize though!
I'm reminded of Tom Lehrer who said when Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize that satire was now impossible.
Like Adorno saying after Auschwitz there is no more poetry - Trump is actually threatening Norway with tariffs etc if he doesn’t- after his outburst in the UN how could it even be considered-bring on the cricket!!
Doesn’t look a day over 95& still with a fine head of hair - congrats to Oz women especially Beth well supported by leggie Alana King with 50 not out
Here’s cheers in advance to the City of Yarra
Never wore a cap, of course!
Neither did Keith Miller I think - & of course no helmets
Or Benaud. Who, I think, was inspired by Miller.
Who inspired the unbuttoned shirt
Perhaps Benaud's own idea. Certainly a signature.