'Close but no cigar" XI

Never made it into the playing XI, but horribly close ... 12th man but never in a final XI, in a named Test squad of 13 but dropped from that squad before the game and never subsequently chosen in an XI, or on a Test tour and never quite squeezed into an XI. Alternatively, chosen as cover for an injured player, and at the ground ready to take the field, but left out when the injured/covered player passed a fitness Test and took his place.


Peter Cantrell
Sam Trimble
Jock Irvine
Ian Maddocks
Ian McLachlan
Shaun Graf
Glenn Chapple

Ricky Ellcock
Ashley Cowan

Jack Potter
Jamie Siddons
Geoff Davies
Peter Clifford
Wade Seccombe
Alan Walker

& Charlie Walker, who toured England twice as the reserve keeper. He died in WW2.

Was Peter Clifford 12th somewhere, or in a tour squad?

lardbucket wrote:Was Peter Clifford 12th somewhere, or in a tour squad?

He was 12th man in a test in Australia.

Clifford, when? Are you certain? That one passed me by ...

Wally, have you got a list somewhere of 12th men?

lardbucket wrote:Wally, have you got a list somewhere of 12th men?

I've seen a list on the internet & will have a look for it.

Some of the Australian players who were 12th men but never got a test were:-
Les Poidevin
Colin McKenzie
Mick Waddy
Les Hill
Syd Hird
Bert Tobin
Ian Quick
Sam Trimble
Ian McLachlan
Jack Potter
Jock Irvine
Geoff Davies
Shaun Graf
Peter Clifford
Ben Hilfenhaus

Clifford is the only one there that surprises ...

Looks like I might have lied. I thought I remembered Clifford being made 12th man in a test early in his career (before he came to Queensland & lost all form) but perhaps it was a 13 man squad.

I found this link.
http://www-uk2.cricket.org/db/STATS/AUS/MISC/AUS_TWELFTH_MEN_NO_TEST.html

Mike Harris - Middlesex and Notts

Was nominated reserve batsman for the 74/75 Ashes tour, but he had the (good?) luck to miss out to Colin Cowdrey.

I'm just wondering if you had Peter Cantrell and Peter Clifford confused? It happens ...

Bobby Parks - actually got in the field, but not capped.

I think it was 1986 against NZ when Bruce French was injured batting and could not keep. Bob Taylor deputised for one session, but Parks was called up for the remainder of the game.

Amazed neither Hourn nor Freedman never made an extended (13 man) squad at the SCG.

I suppose Darren Berry could make an Australian squad of near-misses, he backed up in some England tour games IIRC.

Ashley Noffke?

For now, yes ... though I suspect he won't be on this list for much longer.

Basil wrote:Bobby Parks - actually got in the field, but not capped.

I think it was 1986 against NZ when Bruce French was injured batting and could not keep. Bob Taylor deputised for one session, but Parks was called up for the remainder of the game.

Same as Cantrell then, who was at least named in the squad of 13 ... PC took two cracking gully catches as well. 1990-91, maybe??

Adam Voges

Getting close to a useful side now.

btw embee, thanks so much for the ? 4 am text message ...

..and Lardy

I cant believe you've forgotten the Old Tait ....

I tried so hard.

lardbucket wrote:Getting close to a useful side now.

btw embee, thanks so much for the ? 4 am text message ...

Phurt ....it was only 2 am in the real world ...and time doesnt matter when TGM magic is involved

My wife doesn't agree.

TLA wasn't impressed either ...

A few others who were in Australian touring teams but never played a test:-
John Ellis
Sam Everett
Ted White
John Drennan
Gordon Becker
Ray Jordon
Jim Hubble
Ray Phillips
Graeme Porter
Wayne Holdsworth