On the 13 August 1981 Mike Whitney made his test debut for Australian to become Australian Test cricketer number 313.
Whitney made his debut in the 5th test of the 1981 Ashes series at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Originally not selected in the Ashes squad Whitney was playing for Fleetwood in the Northern League in Lancashire and had played some country cricket for Gloucester when he was called into the test team after injuries to Rodney Hogg and Geoff Lawson.
Whitney first test wicket was David Gower for 23 and he also dismissed Chris Tavare for 69 in the first innings. 17 overs 2 for 50.
In the 2nd innings Whiney dismissed Ian Botham for 118 and John Emburey for 57. 27 overs 2 for 74.
Mike Whitney played 12 tests for Australia taking 39 wickets at an average of 33.97. His best figures were 7 for 27 and he took 5 wickets in an innings on 2 occasions and once took 10 wickets in a test.