23 Comments
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Peter B's avatar

I hope Craig Sergeant has a sense of humour? Sometimes this sounds a bit lampoonish. I’m sure he was a very good shield player and got a test century in difficult political circumstances, something every young cricketer would aspire to!

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Gideon Haigh's avatar

If anyone's being lampooned, Peter, it's me, for holding on so long to this affinity. Didn't you, growing up, have a player you liked, who was special to you, in whom you fancied you saw qualities others did not understand? I think everyone does. Anyway, to set your mind at rest, I sought Craig's consent, which he was kind enough to give. He even sent us the signature you see on the T-shirt. I'm catching up with him during the Test to present him with samples of the merchandise.

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Mick Bourke OAM's avatar

Stacky was my favourite player ‘back in the day’

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Greg Harris's avatar

Could we have a David Ogilvie Day please?? Or Tony Dell?? Yes, I'm a Queensland error.

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Mick Ryan's avatar

Tony Dell, the only remaining test cricketer who served his country, in Vietnam. His book, “And Bring the Darkness Home” highly recommended

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Greg Harris's avatar

Didn't know that Mick so thanks! Hopefully book is out there on interweb somewhere

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Greg Harris's avatar

#Queenslander

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Gideon Haigh's avatar

AD Ogilvie - bespectacled bearded, and a ranga. What a combo!

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Greg Harris's avatar

Absolutely, and with a horizontal bat straight drive. Not a shot you see a lot of!!

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Ross Clennett's avatar

Ian Davis and Martin Kent were the two players that I thought were great as a young cricket fan. Maybe it was the confluence of the middle-order batter to opener to fade out in WSC days career arc? Who's to say how the fascinations of young cricket tragics develop?

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Gideon Haigh's avatar

Martin Kent could have been anything, except for his bad back.

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Peter B's avatar

That's all good, Gideon, I have always discerned that you were a more than decent ethical person; but we all need picking up on EI from time to time, especially me.

Perhaps I'll get myself a CS (and UK) tee-shirt for Christmas!

Mine are:

Graham Yallop - especially after witnessing his brilliant 121 out of less than 200 in Sydney during the Packer Years.

Kim Hughes - wish I'd been at Lords in their Centenary Test when his brilliance was on display; also a thoughtful person and writer.

John Dyson - left the SCG just before 'that' catch

Dave Colley - fast bowler who could really bat

Mike Brearley - stoic cricketer but exceedingly thoughtful writer on the game.

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Gideon Haigh's avatar

They are excellent choices. I remember Yallop's brilliant hundred, and also Colley's 90 for NSW against MCC in 1974-75.

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Peter B's avatar

Pretty sure I was there for that also; I was a student at UNSW and got down to the SCG whenever I could. Would have been a great T20 or ODI player!

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Adrian Keller's avatar

Can I put in dibs for my fav of that period, John Dyson? Maybe a still photo of ‘that catch’ (Sylvester Clarke SCG 81-82)

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Gideon Haigh's avatar

That is a good call, Adrian. Very good cricketer. Don't forget he made 127 in that Sydney Test also.

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Adrian Keller's avatar

I haven’t forgotten Gideon! Although I can’t rattle off every test score Dyson made ( he did play thirty tests!) I do recall the 2 centuries he made, including a maiden ton (103) at Headingley in 1981 that has been largely forgotten in the aftermath of that extraordinary match, Botham and Willis snatching away an Aussie victory (despite JD top scoring again in the second dig).

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Jan Gross's avatar

I hope the great man himself will be receiving a couple of freebies - may I suggest a shade if aubergine for the more mature figure - love that imperial burgundy though

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Jan Gross's avatar

PS my mans Peter Siddle

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Gideon Haigh's avatar

Great choice. Nice fellow.

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Jan Gross's avatar

As long as he gets rid of the blonde streaks

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Pete B's avatar

Oh my! I suggest the Peter Toohey next year.

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