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The Roar

Peter Hunt

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Joined September 2018

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Like so many other Australian Cricket fans, I was mortified by the ball tampering scandal in Cape Town in March 2018. It made me question my life-long passion for Cricket and my steadfast support for the national team. And so, combining my passions for cricket, the law and writing, I embarked on a search for `The Spirit of Cricket'; one cricket tragic's attempt to define `the line'. Does Cricket have a distinct spirit? Can we define 'the line'? How are the values Cricket holds dear different from any other sport?

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I agree with your thinking Kalva, although various teams, the Poms and South Africans included, did experiment with taking Warne on from time to time, without much success. As did West Indians like Lara and Richie Richardson.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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The situations are not exactly the same because the it happened to the Windies twice in remarkably similar circumstances; albeit those circumstances including that the series had already been decided.
I have often wonder how the 1984 series would have played out had the First Test been in Sydney.
I’m guessing you would theorise that the Windies would have turned up to play and the result would have been different.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Wow!

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Those are some interesting points Kalva.
Perhaps when the Windies prepared for a series featuring lots of spin bowling they had the talent to work out how to deal with it.
My opinion was partially influenced by how inept they appeared to be in 85, against Dutchy Holland, and again in 89, when a part-timer like AB made them look foolish.
Whilst my primary point is that Warnie would have been the difference between the sides, I totally agree that McGrath and Gillespie would have had an impact too.
I reckon Viv and the gang may have taken to Brett Lee, though!

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Both of those occasions were very special for me.
But my favourite player was Kim Hughes. So I saw every run of his terrific ton against England in 83.
Sadly, however, neither I, nor anybody else, realised we were watching Kim’s last half century in the Pakistan test in 84.

Growing up with cricket

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Your article brought back a lot of memories for me, too, Peter.
My grandfather was both a cricket nut and league devotee. He saw every Saints game every week for decades until Canberra was admitted to the competition and the drive was too far for him.
My first visits to the SCG with him were during the second season of WSC. He also took me to some Shield games and ODIs
But my favourite memories were from the 82/83 Ashes Test at the SCG and the 83/84 Test against Pakistan at the SCG, when we attended each day of the Test. Some of the best days of my life.
Unfortunately, he passed away in December 84.
When I (finally) got my own SCG membership in 1994, it was a great opportunity to remember those blue and golden days when I went to the cricket with Grandpa.
I’m so grateful that he preferred to spend the day with his Grandson than his mates. I was so lucky.

Growing up with cricket

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Mike Brearley was one of the more fascinating cricketers of my early years. The 3-0 hammering in 79/80 is frequently forgotten when praised for his triumphs over the WSC-depleted Aussies in 78/79 and against the Kim Hughes-led Aussies in 1981 (which, even on the English version of the events, required `miracles’ to win).

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Bernie, that’s an extraordinary stat! You need imagination to even investigate that kind of thing! Thanks for the insight.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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The Rebel Tours point is well made…but, seriously, when did Collis King or Alvin Kallicharran last play for the Windies?
And I think the reference to Franklyn Stephenson is a bit of a stretch given that he was never tested in a Test match.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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I agree 100% with that Paul. When their future fast bowlers decided they’d prefer to play basketball…that’s when the WI slide began.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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I did have that in the back of my mind. Would anybody swear on their mother’s life that the Australian teams of the 70s and 80s didn’t make racial comments constantly when playing the Windies?
If there was a change in their attitude towards us, perhaps we caused it.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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You could be right about that 1979/1980 WI team, Kalva. The Aussie team which the WI beat in the Tests that summer, had little difficulty disposing of England.
That was actually a great summer with the likes of Hughes, Border and Hogg playing with the returning WSC players like Lillee, Marsh and the Chappells.
And the Tests were intermingled both with each other and the ODIs. Not great for the players, but awesome for the spectator.
I have very fond memories of that landmark summer.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Interesting! I remember the English spectators at the SCG were outraged on behalf of Hick.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Familiarity breeds contempt?

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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That’s an intriguing point Rob and I think you’re right.
I remember some discussion about the Aussies not having to face Warne, but I don’t remember it being a major point.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Not sure your recollection about the Waughs is right Mr Elf.
Steve Waugh played against the Windies in 88/89 and did well; scoring 90s in both the First and Second test, on lively Gabba and WACA wickets. He later scored a epic double century in the Caribbean in 1995 to beat the Windies for the first time since 1976.
Mark didn’t play Test cricket until the 90s.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Ha! Good luck with the therapy!
My view of the Windies players did change when they visited for the ODI series in January 1984. Prior to that, I agree that I viewed them as a jovial bunch of mavericks who happened to be very good at cricket. Almost like the cricketing version of the Harlem Globetrotters.
But something happened in ’84. There seemed to be more venom in their demeanour and spite in their actions. In hindsight, maybe it was because Viv captained that ODI series. But it seemed to carry-over into the the subsequent Test series in the Caribbean and into the home series of 84/85 which I’ve written about, when Lloyd was back at the helm.
They seemed more ruthless. And their celebrations upon taking a wicket seemed more spiteful.
By the time Ambrose and Walsh embodied the team, I got the sense that they actually hated us.
Maybe I just grew up a little and saw what was there all the time. I don’t know.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Thanks for explaining what happened at Pos, Ozinsa. I have a vague memory of reading about it, but didn’t know the detail. Based on what you’ve described, it does sound like the Windies crossed the line.
Re the function in HK, I hope you got some value from Beefy. I’ve seen him speak and he’s always entertaining. I guess unscripted chat wasn’t Viv’s strong suit. Still, I have great memories of watching him bat, when I was kid, and greeting his dismissal like an impossible dream had come true.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Another great memory Bernie…the Sydney Ashes Test in 94/95. I remember the McDermott counter attack. I also remember how deflated I felt on the last day…

We were set 440 to win in 4 sessions and 40 minutes. By Tea we had Taylor and Slater had knocked off the 40. By Stumps another 100. By Lunch on the final day we were 0 for 200…and then the rain came.

(Don’t take those numbers a precise, I’m going from memory.)

I reckon we were in with a great chance of running down the 440 to win had our momentum not been interrupted.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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You’re named well, because I’m convinced you’re right!

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Thanks Bernie. That was an interesting interview, which I’d never seen before. I’m still finding it a bit hard to understand, but I’m not going to deny a bloke the right to make decisions in his own life!

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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I’d have to agree with you there, Treble! The Windies were great in the field during that era.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Wow Ozinsa! That’s a pretty harsh view. I accept that the Windies pushed the envelope on slow overrates, but tell me which teams don’t push the envelope one one law or another. And, let’s face it, it’s not as though the Aussies are clean-skins and stretching the rules to their limits.
On Haynes, I remember him being outspoken – particularly towards the end of his career – but I’m not sure he was any worse than anybody else with `lip’.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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I think Henry is somewhat underrated in the pantheon of Australian bowlers.

Clash of the greats: The 1984 West Indians versus the 2001 Aussies

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Interesting insight into the selectors’ thinking. Thanks Bernie.

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