23 minutes that had me hooked on cricket for life

Matt Ellis | June 13, 2023

The mood was bubbling with excitement as my family gathered together for a birthday celebration. Family members exchanged stories with an assortment of food and drinks to add to the merriment.

My mood on the other hand was somewhat tense as the Australians had their backs to the wall in the Boxing Day Test Match. I had just turned nine and I had a love of cricket that was deep in my veins, so while the family were outside enjoying the festivities, I found my way inside to witness one of my fondest Boxing Day Test Match memories.

It was 1987 and Michael Roy Whitney was in the middle of the MCG facing the music trying to defy Sir Richard Hadlee from taking the final wicket and win the Test Match for New Zealand. The larger than life fast bowler was not known for heroics with the willow joined Craig McDermott at the crease with the task of seeing out the remaining overs. To add to the challenge, he would be facing the man who would be awarded player of the series and who finished his distinguished career with 431 Test wickets.

What could be more gripping? As the final over started, people from outside started to filter in and get a closer look at the action. RJ Hadlee was at the top of his mark planning the demise of Whitney. Big Roy was tapping his Symonds cricket bat channeling his inner DG Bradman just hoping to survive.

The first ball was short and wide outside off with Whitney cautiously shouldering arms and watching the ball travel safely through to the keeper.

One down, five to go. My heart was racing, could he do it?

Here comes Hadlee again, this one is full and outside off, the number eleven can’t resist dangling the bat at it. He does not lay bat on it though, a play and miss, through to the keeper. A nervous Whitney then walks down the pitch, looking like a batsman as he does some gardening, tapping down the wicket.

Four balls to go. More family members cram in from outside. Will Whitney be the hero?

The next one is back of length outside off stump and again Whitney is up to the task shouldering arms, getting his bat out of the way. Another walk down the pitch, tapping down the wicket before adjusting his box and taking guard.

Three balls to go and hairs are starting to stand up on the back of my neck.

Hadlee adjusts the sleeve of his shirt, turns at the top of his mark, steams in and delivers one right on the money heading for off-stump. Like a seasoned professional, Whitney manages to jam the bat down and squeeze it out into the off-side.

One wicket in hand, two balls to go. I am falling more in love with Test Cricket by the minute.

New Zealand captain Jeff Crowe makes an adjustment to the field and the tension builds at the MCG, while there is complete silence in the living room. Whitney is now surrounded by fielders close to the bat just waiting for him to make an error of judgement and pop up a catch.

Hadlee gets it spot on again but Whitney is up to the task getting bat and pad close together playing a forward defensive shot straight back down the wicket. Australian flags are waving and the MCG crowd are going crazy, but there is still one ball to negotiate.

This is it, the moment of truth. Whitney nervously taps the bat, taking in big breaths while his adversary RJ Hadlee wipes the sweat from his brow and plans his final delivery.

It is full and straight, Whitney moves into position and stoically defends it. I jump in the air in sheer jubilation as Whitney punches the air celebrating his finest hour (more precisely 23 minutes) at the crease. McDermott and Whitney embrace before shaking hands with their rival Hadlee who had provided them with a compelling challenge.

People often ask me why I love cricket and there are so many reasons. It was this game, however that lit the fire inside and started what has become a passion for the game.

Every summer memories are created and this summer will be no different. There will be boys and girls watching their heroes in stadiums and on television sets.

What will be the moment we look back on this summer that inspires the next generation?