Allan Border

He was a primarily a left hand batsman but also achieved very good results as a slow left arm orthodox bowler. He played 156 matches for Australia with 11,174 runs at an average of 50.56. His best bowling was 11/96 against the West Indies on 1989.

His debut for Australia was against England in 1978. He retired from international cricket in April 1994.

Although Border was a fiercely determined batsman, and more than useful - although not overused - bowler, his biggest influence on the game was his captaincy. Taking over from Kim Hughes when the side had lost experienced players and was performing poorly, he rebuilt the Australian side. Border quickly gained a reputation as a gruff yet effective leader (he was referred to as "Captain Grumpy" in the English press), but early on his side struggled. Eventually the stability of Border's lead from the front style paid off, as talented young players were introduced into the side and given a chance to settle. Ultimately, Border was able to mould the Australian test side into one that would become the best team in the world under his successor, Mark Taylor.

World records held at the time of his retirement

• top run scorer at 11,174 runs
• most consecutive Test matches played (153)
• scored more fifties (63) and more scores of at least 50 (93) than anybody else
• most catches as fielder (154).
• captained Australia 93 times (all consecutive).
• in Pakistan in 1980, he became the first player to score 150 in both innings of a Test match.

He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1982.

After he retired from Test cricket he played in Queensland's maiden Sheffield Shield win, was named 12th man in Australia's Team of the Century, and became an Australian selector. The Australian Player of the Year now receives the Allan Border Medal.

External link

• CricInfo article on Border

Referenced By