Allan Border: My Story

[the_interloper]

That was the first Ashes series in England that I remember watching, pretty sure that was the first time Ch9 televised an Ashes series there and there was no pay tv options or internet streaming back then to watch overseas test series so if it wasn't shown on FTA then there was no way of watching it.

As for Derek Pringle I was always mystified why he got to play so many tests for England, he was one of those typical England all rounders of that era who wasn't a good enough bowler or a good enough batsman to play test cricket but somehow being not good enough at both still got them a test gig.

Me too, i was 8, was awesome. I got Border's tour diary for Xmas that year and read the shit out of it, particularly liked the photo of the streaker with all the players with big grins on their faces ha ha

 

[Rabish Binney]

England used 29 players that series, much of that due to the rebel tour being announced halfway through (though they were already stuffed by then).

Many of those 29 very questionable to why they were ever near a test side, including those picked before the rebel tours announced,

There was a story going around at the time that Graham Gooch changed the message on his home answering machine (remember them?) to the following message:-

'Hello, you've reached Graham Gooch. Unfortueantly, I'm out at the moment, probably LBW to Alderman. Please leave a message'

 

[wagstaff]

That was the first Ashes series in England that I remember watching, pretty sure that was the first time Ch9 televised an Ashes series there and there was no pay tv options or internet streaming back then to watch overseas test series so if it wasn't shown on FTA then there was no way of watching it.

Pretty certain Ch 9 covered the 1985 Ashes.

 

[Rabish Binney]

Both correct. But not sure it was a full coverage of the 1987 World Cup.
Maybe only got the final live and one or two others matches.

1991 tour of West Indies was first overseas proper coverage of a tour outside of the England for us.
Showed all the one dayers and then the Tests.
Probably my favourite overseas tour to follow in my youth.

I recall the Aus vs Pakistan semi final and then the final being broadcast back to Australia in 1987.

I remember the final well, mainly because I watched it with a school mate of mine, of in all places, Norseman WA. He had just finished Uni in Adelaide (as a Geologist) and his first job was with a mining company based just out of Norseman. Thought it would be a good idea if I went and visited him......

I've never drunk Emu Export since

 

[Rabish Binney]

Pretty certain Ch 9 covered the 1985 Ashes.

Channel 9 covered the 1977 Ashes tour (I have alluded to it in a previous post) which was a BBC feed if I remember rightly.

I know it wasn't the ABC because there were adverts in between every over.

Channel 9 definitely covered the 1985 tour. Remember watching Andrew Hilditch getting a century in the 1st test at Headingly.

 

[Rabish Binney]

England selected the following in that series (Australia only used 12 players for the 6 tests):

David Gower (c)
Mike Atherton
Kim Barnett
Ian Botham
Chris Broad
David Capel
Nick Cook
Tim Curtis
Phillip DeFreitas
Graham Dilley
John Emburey
Neil Foster
Angus Fraser
Mike Gatting
Graham Gooch
Eddie Hemmings
Alan Igglesden
Paul Jarvis
Allan Lamb
Devon Malcolm
Martyn Moxon
Phil Newport
Derek Pringle
Tim Robinson
Jack Russell
Gladstone Small
Robin Smith
John Stephenson
Chris Tavaré

Some real ordinary players (Barnett; Curtis; Igglesden; Jarvis; Moxon; Pringle) amongst others.

Thought Jack Russell was criminally underrated as a keeper though (and had a bity of guts about him with the bat).

 

[footyfan1978]

That was the first Ashes series in England that I remember watching, pretty sure that was the first time Ch9 televised an Ashes series there and there was no pay tv options or internet streaming back then to watch overseas test series so if it wasn't shown on FTA then there was no way of watching it.

Me too, i was 8, was awesome. I got Border's tour diary for Xmas that year and read the s**t out of it, particularly liked the photo of the streaker with all the players with big grins on their faces ha ha

I do not recall if 1989 series was on ABC tv or channel 9.
I'm fairly confident channel 9 did the 1993 series as remember Richie Benaud call Warne's first ball there.
But 1980 Centenary Test in England, 1981 Ashes series and 1985 Ashes series I'm fairly sure all done by the ABC on channel 2 which was good because no tv adds and if there was rain they put on some ripper old cricket doco's. On the other hand fairly sure they still did the old style camera angle from one end up until at least 1985.

 

[Partridge]

That's not why Kim Hughes cried.

He also made THE single gutsiest hundred I've ever seen. Against the West Indies as well.

 

[Partridge]

According to the excellent biography, "Golden Boy", Chappelli simply didn't rate Hughes at the time and his opinion never really changed. The sniping continued to the point where Hughes refused to do the pre-game televised toss at ODIs if Chappell was conducting the interview.

However in recent years Chappell has gone to lengths to always mention Hughes' 100 against the Windies in the boxing day test as one of the all-time great innings (and he was correct).

Approaching 40 years since Hughes' exit and the bloke still fascinates me. His test average of 37-odd does not do justice to his sublime talent - one that was utterly mismanaged throughout his career and one pulverised by the Windies at their peak and the sniping of his contemporaries and past players.

I've read that too. It's a very good read. To be honest I never thought Ian Chappell crossed any line with Hughes - I also remember him singling Hughes out for praise for his 137 in Sydney in 1982/83. His criticisms were pretty much always cricket-related, which is part of the job. He was certainly nowhere near responsible for what then current players like Lillee and Marsh were up to. That's squarely on the captain (Greg Chappell) and the utterly spineless board.

I think it was Border's first autobiography where he was said he never really understood why the old guard didn't like him. He offered that they expected Marsh to be named captain after Greg Chappell and they blamed Hughes (like it was his fault) when he got the job.

 

[Partridge]

I do not recall if 1989 series was on ABC tv or channel 9.
I'm fairly confident channel 9 did the 1993 series as remember Richie Benaud call Warne's first ball there.
But 1980 Centenary Test in England, 1981 Ashes series and 1985 Ashes series I'm fairly sure all done by the ABC on channel 2 which was good because no tv adds and if there was rain they put on some ripper old cricket doco's. On the other hand fairly sure they still did the old style camera angle from one end up until at least 1985.

Pretty sure 1985 was covered by Channel 9. I remember during Border's 196 they were crossing to Wimbledon which was on at the same time.

 

[Rabish Binney]

I do not recall if 1989 series was on ABC tv or channel 9.
I'm fairly confident channel 9 did the 1993 series as remember Richie Benaud call Warne's first ball there.
But 1980 Centenary Test in England, 1981 Ashes series and 1985 Ashes series I'm fairly sure all done by the ABC on channel 2 which was good because no tv adds and if there was rain they put on some ripper old cricket doco's. On the other hand fairly sure they still did the old style camera angle from one end up until at least 1985.

Found this TV guide from 30th June 1985 so it looks like Channel 9 had the rights.

Richie used to call the tests for the BBC as well during our winters so maybe Channel 9 were taking the 'feed' from the BBC and using BBC commentators (cant remember) in 1993?. I do recall Pommie commentators (Jim Laker being one of them) during the 1989 series however...

Probably makes sense as Kerry packer no doubt would have bought the rights to telecast it knowing what the ratings would have been (especially if the broadcast of the first session of play started at around 7:30 PM etc) - although from this cut out, it does seem odd that play would still be continuing at 6:00 AM in the morning Australian Time?

 

[Plugger35]

I don't recall the 1985 Ashes series being shown on Ch9 in Perth, maybe it was shown here and I just don't remember watching it, it's a long time ago.

Test matches in England start at around 6pm in Perth which would have been the same time the Ch9 6pm news was on and that would have been a problem for them as they would never not show their 6pm news. There was no other channels they could show it on back then either like 9Gem or 9Go.

I can't remember what they did for the other Ashes series they covered, they may have just shown their 6pm news and then cut to the Ashes coverage.

 

[footyfan1978]

Pretty sure 1985 was covered by Channel 9. I remember during Border's 196 they were crossing to Wimbledon which was on at the same time.

Yeah, think you are right. Does ring a bell about cricket and Wimbledon all on same channel which awkward to manage in those times without pissing one group of fans off or another.

 

[sandeano]

I've read that too. It's a very good read. To be honest I never thought Ian Chappell crossed any line with Hughes - I also remember him singling Hughes out for praise for his 137 in Sydney in 1982/83. His criticisms were pretty much always cricket-related, which is part of the job. He was certainly nowhere near responsible for what then current players like Lillee and Marsh were up to. That's squarely on the captain (Greg Chappell) and the utterly spineless board.

I think it was Border's first autobiography where he was said he never really understood why the old guard didn't like him. He offered that they expected Marsh to be named captain after Greg Chappell and they blamed Hughes (like it was his fault) when he got the job.

Then you get these weird responses that Lillee & Marsh acted like they did because they did it out of love for the guy. Bizarre.

I do wonder How Australia's fortunes in 1985 would have fared had a rested and refreshed Hughes been picked for the Ashes tour.

 

[footyfan1978]

Then you get these weird responses that Lillee & Marsh acted like they did because they did it out of love for the guy. Bizarre.

I do wonder How Australia's fortunes in 1985 would have fared had a rested and refreshed Hughes been picked for the Ashes tour.

A lot better.
Probably have Kim Hughes, plus one or two of Mick Taylor, Mike Haysmen or Steve Smith added to the batting order in the Tests in England.
Bowling line-up would have been a lot better with English conditions perfect for outswing bowler Terry Alderman and pace bowler Rodney Hogg.
Trevor Hohns probably replace the two spinners we actually hadi n 85 of Murray Bennett and Bob Holland.
On 1985 tour we were using Wayne Phillips as a keeper when he should be batting only.

Kepler Wessels
Wayne Phillips (open instead of keeper and allow a real keeper to do job in Steve Rixon)
Mick Taylor (was probably ready around this time but for some reason went on the Rebel Tour instead which I suspect it was money)
Kim Hughes
Allan Border
David Boon (cannot remember where he batted this early in career but might have been 6 with training wheels on)
Steve Rixon
Trevor Hohns or Mo Matthews
Lawson
McDermott
Alderman
12th man Hogg

13th man Ritchie
14th man the spinner that missed out between Hohns or Matthews
15th man Mike Haysman
16th man Rod McCurdy
17th man Steve Smith

 

[footyfan1978]

On TV series "Howzat," don't recall Hughes getting mentioned. They had someone playing Gary Cosier. Actor playing Ian Chappell said "what about Cosier?" Kerry Packer said "no, he's not ******* playing." But you are right , pretty sure Hughes wasn't asked.

Before my time but he would have been relatively new at time so maybe not in Packer sights.

 

[footyfan1978]

Looked in some old storage boxes and actually come across I have an Allan Border book from mid 80's. Also some cricket magazine from about three or more years later.

 

[sandeano]

A lot better.
Probably have Kim Hughes, plus one or two of Mick Taylor, Mike Haysmen or Steve Smith added to the batting order in the Tests in England.
Bowling line-up would have been a lot better with English conditions perfect for outswing bowler Terry Alderman and pace bowler Rodney Hogg.
Trevor Hohns probably replace the two spinners we actually hadi n 85 of Murray Bennett and Bob Holland.
On 1985 tour we were using Wayne Phillips as a keeper when he should be batting only.

Kepler Wessels
Wayne Phillips (open instead of keeper and allow a real keeper to do job in Steve Rixon)
Mick Taylor (was probably ready around this time but for some reason went on the Rebel Tour instead which I suspect it was money)
Kim Hughes
Allan Border
David Boon (cannot remember where he batted this early in career but might have been 6 with training wheels on)
Steve Rixon
Trevor Hohns or Mo Matthews
Lawson
McDermott
Alderman
12th man Hogg

13th man Ritchie
14th man the spinner that missed out between Hohns or Matthews
15th man Mike Haysman
16th man Rod McCurdy
17th man Steve Smith

Very fine analysis.

Damned criminal the way they treated Wayne Phillips. We were screaming out for a quality opener and there he was...and they insisted on giving him the gloves too.

 

[Partridge]

Very fine analysis.

Damned criminal the way they treated Wayne Phillips. We were screaming out for a quality opener and there he was...and they insisted on giving him the gloves too.

Yep. Completely wrecked his career. He was good enough to score a ton against the West Indies - IN the West Indies in 1983/84. The obvious next step was to make him a keeper.

 

[Partridge]

Before my time but he would have been relatively new at time so maybe not in Packer sights.

Yeah I'd say there was no way Kim Hughes was established enough. Same reason Border wasn't. And Australia's lineup was pretty strong, even if they were known not sure they'd have deserved a spot then.

I just checked - Hughes debuted in the final test in England in 1977. Most if not all the Packer players were recruited during that tour or beforehand. He simply wouldn't have been on the radar.

 

[Gough]

Very fine analysis.

Damned criminal the way they treated Wayne Phillips. We were screaming out for a quality opener and there he was...and they insisted on giving him the gloves too.

He was such a terrible keeper too. Guy ended up being a footnote when he could have been a star.

 

[big_e]

Yeah I'd say there was no way Kim Hughes was established enough. Same reason Border wasn't. And Australia's lineup was pretty strong, even if they were known not sure they'd have deserved a spot then.

I just checked - Hughes debuted in the final test in England in 1977. Most if not all the Packer players were recruited during that tour or beforehand. He simply wouldn't have been on the radar.

Martin Kent made his test debut three weeks before Kim Hughes and was signed by WSC.

David Hookes made his test debut only a few months earlier and was signed by WSC.

There's a handful of blokes who never played test cricket at all but who were signed by WSC.

They signed a 19 year old Kepler Wessels to play for the Australian side, without him ever having set foot in Australia.

The signings were handled by Austin Robertson, who was also the manager of Dennis Lillee, who'd played with and against Kim Hughes for almost a decade by then.

And he's on an Ashes tour, FFS.

Kim Hughes was on their radar, and they made a conscious decision to exclude him.

 

[Plugger35]

I'm not sure Kim Hughes would have joined WSC even if they made him an offer, the players that defected to WSC were threatened by the ACB with bans from playing test cricket for Australia again.

That wasn't such a big deal for the likes of Ian Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh who were getting towards the end of their test careers but it was a different story for the likes of Kim Hughes and Allan Border who were only just starting their test careers, it was a much bigger risk for them to join WSC

 

[footyfan1978]

Yeah I'd say there was no way Kim Hughes was established enough. Same reason Border wasn't. And Australia's lineup was pretty strong, even if they were known not sure they'd have deserved a spot then.

I just checked - Hughes debuted in the final test in England in 1977. Most if not all the Packer players were recruited during that tour or beforehand. He simply wouldn't have been on the radar.

Correct,
I read the chapter of book I have where Border selected for Test in Melbourne about 18 months or so after Hughes debut and that was only because the cupboard was bare by then when the best Aussie players were playing for the WSC Australian side. Two Shield centuries in a couple of matches was enough for selectors to punt on him. Border made 29 in the first innings. Would have been one of first Tests I spent any time looking at as I started out watching Packer's World Series Cricket on channel 9. The establishment cricket at time was on channel 2. I honestly was too young to know what I was watching but it looked a step down from WSC SuperTests at the time. Border would have been first batsman outside of World Series Cricket I took any notice of as looking good. Would not be long before I would get to see Border play with the big boys of Chappell, Lillee, Marsh etc.

 

[footyfan1978]

I'm not sure Kim Hughes would have joined WSC even if they made him an offer, the players that defected to WSC were threatened by the ACB with bans from playing test cricket for Australia again.

That wasn't such a big deal for the likes of Ian Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh who were getting towards the end of their test careers but it was a different story for the likes of Kim Hughes and Allan Border who were only just starting their test careers, it was a much bigger risk for them to join WSC

Border had not made his Test debut by then so was not even thought about. He essentially would have been a fairly unkown Shield player for New South Wales and not even establishment there yet.