About Me
Adrian Butler
A cricket fan who played and has watched over 160 Test matches in Australian, England and the Carribean
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question
Q: Australian Country Cricket team – United Kingdom Tour 1965
Back Row – R. Couch (Scorer), B.J. Henderson, R.F. Pearce, , R.B. Lamont, R.A. Hall, A. H. Butler, M.W.G. Meecham, R.M. Dall, L.G. Lawson, G.W. Tiller, D.R. Webb (Baggage Controller)
Front Row – B. Macpherson, K.W. Crosby, R.G. Davies, C.R DeGrand (Captain), R.W. Noblet (Manager), J.A Pick (Vice-Captain), D.F. Lang, R.A. Ferguson, T.A. Ball
Back Row – R. Couch (Scorer), B.J. Henderson, R.F. Pearce, , R.B. Lamont, R.A. Hall, A. H. Butler, M.W.G. Meecham, R.M. Dall, L.G. Lawson, G.W. Tiller, D.R. Webb (Baggage Controller)
Front Row – B. Macpherson, K.W. Crosby, R.G. Davies, C.R DeGrand (Captain), R.W. Noblet (Manager), J.A Pick (Vice-Captain), D.F. Lang, R.A. Ferguson, T.A. Ball
question
Q: The excitement of Test cricket
Over 70 years ago in December 1950, my father took me to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see my first Test match between Australia and England. Thus the beginning of a passion for the game of cricket.
I was captivated by Keith Miller, the great all-rounder, who was and remains one of the most outstanding players in the history of the game.
Since that Test match I have been fortunate to attend over 160 Tests at all the major Test grounds in Australia, except the new ground in Perth. I have also seen Tests at all the major grounds in England and the Caribbean.
Over 70 years ago in December 1950, my father took me to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see my first Test match between Australia and England. Thus the beginning of a passion for the game of cricket.
I was captivated by Keith Miller, the great all-rounder, who was and remains one of the most outstanding players in the history of the game.
Since that Test match I have been fortunate to attend over 160 Tests at all the major Test grounds in Australia, except the new ground in Perth. I have also seen Tests at all the major grounds in England and the Caribbean.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/163/adrian-butler/blog/92/the-excitement-of-test-cricket
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Q: Australia v West Indies Melbourne Cricket Ground December 31, 1951 to January 3, 1952
John Goddard Captain of West Indies won the toss and decided to bat and batting number 3 Frank Worrell with 108 was the major contributor to the score of 272. The “Three W’s” Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott from Barbados were ranked with the best batsmen in the World. Keith Miller was amongst the wickets with 5 for 60.
Australia struggled making 216, the highlight being a partnership of 124 between Neil Harvey 83 and Keith Miller 47. During this partnership an intriguing battle took place with the West Indies spin twins Alf Valentine left arm and the mystery spinner Sonny Ramadhin right arm.
In their second innings West Indies were held to 203 with Stollmeyer 54 and Christiani 52 being the main contributors. The wickets were shared by Ray Lindwall 3, Miller and Bill Johnston 2 each.
Australia were set 260 to win and again the spinners were on top with Valentine 5 and Ramadhin 3 wickets. They didn’t have express fast bowlers in those days. Lindsay Hassett held the innings together for 5 hours making 102. With the score 9 for 222, number 11 Bill Johnston joined his Richmond team mate Doug Ring requiring 38 runs to win.
The next 35 minutes had the crowd on the edge of their seats watching an amazing and exciting finish to the match. Doug Ring was a more than capable lower order batsman who liked to chance his arm with lusty blows over the infield. Bill Johnston, despite leading the batting averages on a tour of England, was regarded as a bunny. They soon had the West Indies in panic mode with dropped catches, misfields and mid pitch conferences involving a number of their players. However to no avail as the last pair held their nerve, with Johnston turning a ball to fine leg for the winning run for victory by one wicket.
John Goddard Captain of West Indies won the toss and decided to bat and batting number 3 Frank Worrell with 108 was the major contributor to the score of 272. The “Three W’s” Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott from Barbados were ranked with the best batsmen in the World. Keith Miller was amongst the wickets with 5 for 60.
Australia struggled making 216, the highlight being a partnership of 124 between Neil Harvey 83 and Keith Miller 47. During this partnership an intriguing battle took place with the West Indies spin twins Alf Valentine left arm and the mystery spinner Sonny Ramadhin right arm.
In their second innings West Indies were held to 203 with Stollmeyer 54 and Christiani 52 being the main contributors. The wickets were shared by Ray Lindwall 3, Miller and Bill Johnston 2 each.
Australia were set 260 to win and again the spinners were on top with Valentine 5 and Ramadhin 3 wickets. They didn’t have express fast bowlers in those days. Lindsay Hassett held the innings together for 5 hours making 102. With the score 9 for 222, number 11 Bill Johnston joined his Richmond team mate Doug Ring requiring 38 runs to win.
The next 35 minutes had the crowd on the edge of their seats watching an amazing and exciting finish to the match. Doug Ring was a more than capable lower order batsman who liked to chance his arm with lusty blows over the infield. Bill Johnston, despite leading the batting averages on a tour of England, was regarded as a bunny. They soon had the West Indies in panic mode with dropped catches, misfields and mid pitch conferences involving a number of their players. However to no avail as the last pair held their nerve, with Johnston turning a ball to fine leg for the winning run for victory by one wicket.
blog post
Back Row – R. Couch (Scorer), B.J. Henderson, R.F. Pearce, , R.B. Lamont, R.A. Hall, A. H. Butler, M.W.G. Meecham, R.M. Dall, L.G. Lawson, G.W. Tiller, D.R. Webb (Baggage Controller)Front ...
blog post
Over 70 years ago in December 1950, my father took me to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see my first Test match between Australia and England. Thus the beginning of a passion for the game of crick ...
