SA Footy

During a boozy lunch, talk turned to the rebel South African tours.

With the benefit of hindsight, I reckon they were a blessing in disguise.

(Even if they did prolong Graeme Wood's test career by another couple of years.)

At the time, it was disastrous as Australian cricket sunk to an all-time low - worst team in the world (Sri Lanka didn't count then.)

But it meant the end for middling talents like Smith, Shipperd, Haysman etc.

And forced the selectors to pick - in some cases before they were ready - Boon, S. Waugh, Reid, Hughes, etc.

In other words, players that wanted to wear the baggy green.

Another consequence of the Rebel tour was to prolong the career of Greg Ritchie, resulting in us still listening to Mahatma Cote on 5AA to this day... not sure if that was a good or a bad thing...

But seriously, not many of the Rebels would have made much of a difference to the Australian team of that day - the exceptions being Wessels (who only went to SAf in the second year anyway) Rackemann and Alderman. Perhaps with Alderman we could have retained the Ashes in England 1985. The rest were all fringe players or at the end of their careers.

The events that had a much bigger consequence were the retirements of G Chappell, Marsh and Lillee after the 83/84 season, and the mental scars from playing the West Indies at the peak of their powers in two consecutive series (10 tests) in 84 and 84/85.

But yes, I do agree that you may have a good point that it did mean more time in the Test team for the likes of Boon, G Marsh, Jones, S Waugh, Reid, Hughes etc in the period from 85-88, which was a good foundation for their success in the following years.

IIRC Alderman took 80-100 wickets for Gloucs in 84 & 86.

Based on what he did in '81 and '89 he may have been the difference between winning and losing in 85.......

1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:IIRC Alderman took 80-100 wickets for Gloucs in 84 & 86.

Based on what he did in '81 and '89 he may have been the difference between winning and losing in 85.......

Good point that one. Alderman's series in '89 was simply superb and I think it would be fair to say that he had the biggest impact of those who managed to get back in the door from that '85 rebel tour.
On a side issue. Enjoyed listening to Alderman's radio commentary of Shield matches in Perth back in the '98-'99 season. Does he still commentate?