Australian cricket's Unlucky XI: Part two

Stuart Law (VC): Vice-captaining the side is former Queensland captain, banana bender Stuart Law. Law is famously recognised for leading his Queensland side to their first Sheffield Shield title in 1994/1995 (after a 68 year wait).

However, it wasn’t just his performance as captain that won him the accolades of many.

Law was a prolific run scorer who remarkably maintained a first-class average above 50 by the time he retired, after 367 matches.

Like the others, Law was bound by the performances of other Australia batsmen during his time, leading to a solitary Test cap.

He played his only match during the 1995/1996 series against Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Steve Waugh. Law notched up an unbeaten half century but with was inevitably replaced by Waugh the following test. Law is one of the few cricketers to bat for their nation and finish without an average.

For Queensland, his stats were distinguished. 27,080 first-class runs (9034 in SS), at an average of 50.52 (43.85 in SS), 128 (47 In SS) half-centuries, 79 (24 in SS) centuries with a highest score of 263 (216 in Sheffield Shield).

Shaun Young:
The all-rounder position is filled by yet another Tasmanian, Shaun Young. His stats speak for themselves:

Batting: 7212 first-class runs at an average of 37.95, 44 half-centuries, 14 centuries with a highest score of 237. Bowling: 274 first-class wickets at an average of 35.82, with eight five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul.

For over a decade he was a great servant of the domestic game. As a batsman, his defiance was a testament to the middle order and his strength produced an array of hard-hitting shots that awaited a bowler if he would stray just marginally off line.

His bowling was more than handy; he offered his side tireless spells of sustained bowling and prided himself on constantly hitting the right line and length.

Throw in the ability to swing the ball and you can see why he was utilised to the full extent.

In 1997, played his one and only Test, at The Oval in London. He was called into the side as a replacement when selectors were notified that he was conveniently in London for personal reasons. You can say that Young never actually represented his country solely on the performances he produced at a domestic level, but thanks purely to coincidence.

Young deserved more than just being at the right place at the right time.

Roger Woolley:
The wicketkeeper position is filled by yet another Taswegian, Roger Woolley. If not for the Indispensable Rodney Marsh, the man with the iron gloves, Roger Woolley would have certainly enjoyed an extensive test career.

Woolley was a member of the 1978 Tasmanian side that won its first one day domestic title in the history of the competition. Woolley played in just two Test matches while Marsh was injured, however unfortunately he failed to replicate his domestic success. Given more opportunity, Woolley was destined to play cricket for Australia on a more regular basis.

For Tasmania, his stats with the bat were amazing for a period where keeper-batsmen would often average below 35. He scored 4,781 first-class runs at an average of 40.17, 30 half-centuries, seven centuries and with a highest score of 144.

With the gloves he collected 145 catches and 16 stumpings.

Andy Bichel:
Andy Bichel kicks things off for the bowlers in the Unlucky XI. The sharp paceman with a brisk action will be recognised for his contribution to Australia in the one day format; however his Test career could easily have lasted longer.

Labelled the “smiling assassin”, Bichel terrorised batsmen in the Sheffield Shield contest, collecting 430 wickets and the tag of being the third most successful bowler in the competition’s history. He played 19 tests for Australia claiming 58 wickets at a average of 32.24 at the same time displaying his talent with the bat down the order.

By 2004, Bichel was dumped from the national squad and never returned in either format. Upon leaving, his stats only improved and on retirement in 2007, he was regarded as one of Australia’s premier domestic all-rounders. Bichel’s stats:

Bowling: 769 First-class wickets (430 in SS) at an average of 25.98 (23.24 in SS), 36 (22 SS) five-wicket hauls, seven (4 SS) ten-wicket hauls with best figures of 9/93 (7/54 SS). Batting: 5,860 First-class runs at an average of 26.51, 23 half-centuries, 9 centuries with a highest score of 148.

Adam Dale:
The second seamer in this line-up is Adam Dale. “He’s a Victorian,” Bill Lawry will say, however Dale made his claim as a great cricketer after heading north to Queensland. Unlike Bichel, who relied on his pace, Dale was a genuine medium-pace bowler who relied heavily on his nagging accuracy for wickets. This relentless style of bowling ensured that frustration led to many batsmen virtually throwing their wicket away.

Dale played two Tests in the late 90s, against India in 1998 and the West Indies in 1999. He claimed 6 wickets at an average of 31.16, by no means a poor performance, especially very early on in a career. However, Dale was not given another shot by the selectors, instead playing onto until 2003 for Queensland.

He took 245 first-class wickets at an average of 20.75, 13 five-wicket hauls, and 1 ten-wicket haul with best figures of 7/24.

Stuart MacGill:
Rounding off the XI is “that other great spinner”: Stuart MacGill.

Unlike the others, Stuart MacGill managed to clock up 44 Test matches for his country, not a bad achievement. However, for anyone who has witnessed MacGill, you can agree this old school spinner with a ripping leg break was entitled to a lot more.

Only one obstacle stood in the way of MacGill, fellow leg-spin bowler Shane Warne. The master of spin is regarded as not only the greatest spin bowler of all time, but one of the greatest cricketers – MacGill was doomed from the start.

In an era where a two-pronged spin attack was disfavoured, MacGill found himself jostling with Warne for the position.

His stats at a national level were slight justification of the effort committed by MacGill. He claimed 208 wickets at an average 29.02, including best figures of 8/108.

For NSW, his performances maintained he was always in the hunt for a test recall. He took 774 First-class wickets (328 in SS) at an average of 30.49 (34.54 SS), 43 (17 SS) five-wicket hauls, 6 ten-wicket hauls with best figures of 6/64.

So there we have it, the Unlucky XI.

1. Jamie Cox
2. Martin Love
3. Michael Di Venuto
4. Brad Hodge
5. Jamie Siddons
6. Stuart Law
7. Shaun Young
8. Roger Woolley
9. Andy Bichel
10. Adam Dale
11. Stuart MacGill

In conclusion it is obvious that all 11 have fallen victim to the era. The late 80’s/90’s profiled Australia’s dominance in both forms of the game. Four Tasmanians in this list all but reaffirms the general consensus that Tasmanians are hard done by!

These players biggest enemy was, ironically, Australia’s depth. It happens in all sports around the world, in various divisions and in various leagues. Not only must you have enough skill, but you must be in the right place, at the right time.

I’ll throw honourable mentions to Jimmy Maher and David Hussey as well.

What do you think, Roarers, who you think deserves to be on this list?