After having a list of my favourite cricketers published on The Roar, the logical follow-up is to focus on the Australians I have most enjoyed watching.
Click here to read my previous piece.
My top four all-time favourite Australian cricketers are as follows:
1. Allan Border
When Allan Border rose to prominence in the mid-1980’s as Australia’s Captain, he became an inspiration.
He was the epitome of the little Aussie battler with everything against him, which mirrored my life at the time with skyrocketing mortgage rates forcing my family to the wall.
I lived through his example, as he taught me to find a way, no matter the challenge. Through that strength, he instilled a steely determination inside one to rise.
Winning the 1987 World Cup was the first flicker of hope, with regaining the Ashes in 1989 adding to the revival.
The 1990’s saw Australia’s re-emergence, and eventually, Australia’s dominance, mainly propelled by Border.
2. Jason Gillespie
I often think Gillespie got caught up in the wash between the genius of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne and the hype of Brett Lee.
Consequently, he never got the plaudits he deserved.
Gillespie was an exceptionally skilled fast bowler who I would happily rate in the top ten pacemen I have seen.
I sat in awe of him in India in 2004, as he resembled an irresistible, relentless force. He frightened batsmen with his fire and intimidated them with the eclectic threats in his bowling arsenal.
His bowling smarts were a standout.
Away from his bowling, one was always amazed by how genuinely honest and fair dinkum he was.
Whether it be batting, fielding or working on his game, he was rabid in doing his best for the baggy green.
Such genuine pride and passion made him a great player and now those traits help players buy into his teachings as a lauded coach.
3. Damien Martyn
The innate charm of Martyn was that he was so very human.
Troubled, flawed, reluctant, victimised and in a broad sense, a prisoner to his genius.
Martyn was akin to a bird with the brightest colours always seeking freedom but frustrated, tormented and caged by the demands of international cricket.
His genius was sublime, with few having similar batting talent. He could dominate any attack in any conditions and when he put on a show it was a form of surgical dissection.
Martyn had pure style that left you wide-eyed and drooling, begging for more.
His legacy left us in the sense of wonder, with him resembling an epic thriller, leaving all on edge, only not to be fully told.
4. Jeff Thomson
The maniacal express quick that loved seeing “blood on the pitch”.
The irony of Thomson was we all loved this, but the other side of the coin was the thrill of witnessing batsmen take him on. Watching them hook 160km/h rockets hurled between their eyes, and without helmets, was mindblowing.
He was the quintessential win-win scenario.
Either witness him make batsmen hop and be in cold sweats out of fear of decapitation, or be in awe of the brave, and possibly reckless, batsmen who eyeballed him and took him on.
Who are your favourites, Roarers?
Doogs
Guest
Warnie.You just knew something would happen when he bowled. He was doing things with the ball that I had never seen.DK was incredible to watch. Beautiful run-up and bowling action and his appeal was epic. Bowled a lot through immense pain. Steve Waugh was a warrior. Telling Ambrose to just go back and bowl was great theatre. His batting in the Ashes when he was finally out after scoring around 500 runs. It would be a toss-up between Warnie and AB for me. Border went to England with a team nominated as the worst Australian team to ever visit their shores. When I saw him square cut DeFreitas for six I knew there was something different happening. He also implemented no contact at end of play with the English team. I am not saying I agree with this, but it did introduce the tough, no prisoners Aussie Team. We loved it at the time but have become embarrassed at the aggressive approach of subsequent Aussie teams. Sometimes we hate the very thing we asked for. Warnie for theatre and bowling imagination. Border for sheer balls.
Ches
Guest
Dennis Lillee Doug Walters Shane Warne
ols
Roar Pro
1. Doug Walters 2. Adam Gilchrist 3. Steve Waugh 4. Alan Border 5. Dennis Lillee
Cadfael
Roar Guru
AB Dougie Walters Jeff Thomson Brian Booth
The lazy Phoenix
Roar Pro
Both !! No, Dougie Walters for me - what a legend.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Walters was a genius it is just sad his career was diminished by struggling so mightily in England Always loved the old Hill at the SCG when he played, it was his
Paul D
Roar Guru
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vJcUoaE8YI Watch this, it'll change your mind! I agree though he certainly had an abrasive personality, but I can respect blokes who are prepared to open themselves like that to humiliation and back their ability. KP was another I loved watching, he's definitely the closest to the sort of player Deano was that England have had.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Just perfect.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Doug Walters in full flight, none better and for true grit , Ian Redpath.
dave
Guest
Shane Warne,wow. And we were so desperate to find another Warnie If you were a young blonde leg spinner you got picked.Luckily that young leg spinner turned out to be a great batsman and now captains Australia. Cheers Warnie
dave
Guest
Shane Warne hands down. Australia would be without Its current captain If It wasn't for Warnie. Smith got his 1st chance as young blonde leg spinner .
correct sometimes
Guest
? signifies a question
Paul D
Roar Guru
How good was the one that got Cook first ball in Perth? Absolutely unplayable.
Nudge
Guest
Good stuff Tim. AB, Justin Langer and Steve Waugh for me. Love the fighters. Actually really love watching James Pattinson bowl. Good looking ( I'm not gay) super aggressive Aussie that sends down 150 km outswingers. Warney was special to watch as well.
Rellum
Roar Guru
No :). I have no respect for Greg Richie.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
I saw that live and it was a truly gritty knock under adverse circumstances. Hearing about the exchange with AB later of course spiced it up!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
1. Shane Warne 2. Ryan Harris 3. Adam Gilchrist 4. Steve Waugh 5. Mark Waugh
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
No love for the 'Fat Cat' Richie :)
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Bollinger or Walters?
Vistro
Guest
I m not Australian but I have a love/ hate relationship with Mitchell Johnson I had the privilege to witness him reaping us apart at centurion ground ,Sh***t what a sight to see when he was on song .