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Yesterday, I was asked the most impressive person I have ever met during my nearly 50 years in the sporting media. The answer was both simple and instant – Sir Donald Bradman.
Over the years I had the privilege to speak face-to-face, or on the phone, to the greatest batsman the world will ever see at least 35 times.
He was a formidable and fascinating bloke with strong ideas, but a good listener as well.
He delighted in constantly testing me one-on-one. But he would desperately unhappy at the way Australian cricket is currently being governed and played.
Sir Donald never suffered fools and firmly believed cricket was a badge of honour to be worn like no other sport.
He would never have entertained the board calling on outside advice, such as the Don Argus review following that three Test Ashes shellacking.
Sir Donald would have sacked the selectors for starters, then set about righting the ship himself.
He would never have entertained bean counters, academics and scientists having a big say in how cricket was run on and off the field.
He would never have given the green light to a former Wallaby being the Australian team performance director, like Pat Howard is at present.
I found Sir Donald a man a of steel in my dealings with him and only former players, or those entrenched in cricket, would govern the sport he dominated for 20 years.
Under Bradman’s rule, there would never, ever, be player rotation. The best would be selected for every game and only the next best would get the nod if injury, illness or loss of form struck down a first choice. It would have been normal procedure, not buzz words to make it look good.
Under Bradman, I am sure there would be three national selectors, all full-time, and the chairman would be strong and charismatic – unlike John Inverarity.
No Australian captain nor coach would be considered as selectors. They have their hands full doing their own jobs.
In short, Australian cricket desperately needs a fearless, expressive and recognised powerbroker like Sir Donald Bradman.
Tragically, there is no-one within binocular distance.