Famous Cricketers No 40 - Neil Harvey

INTRODUCTION More than forty years have passed since Neil Harvey first captivated the English public with his scintillating footwork at the crease and his breathtaking fielding. He first came to England with Bradman’s all-conquering 1948 team - a mere slip of a boy, hailed as the new Bradman, like many others since. Whilst he, like they, could hardly live up to that billing, for the next fifteen years he charmed cricket lovers around the world with his stroke-play. From his earliest days he cared not for statistics, only to dominate the bowlers. If he had cut out all the risky shots he would no doubt have made many more runs, but the immense pleasure he gave would have dimmed. Even so, he played many innings for Australia that called for graft and application, to prove he was not just a lightweight. The modern spectator would see a re-incarnation of him in David Gower, who has charmed so many people in the same way. This book is a small tribute from someone to whom Neil Harvey was a boyhood hero. I hope it shows that, in spite of his carefree approach to batting, his statistics still put him among the greats. Michael Richardson April 1992 I first met Neil in 1946 when he was a lad of seventeen. Even then he was a fine player. In 1948 at nineteen years of age he scored a magnificent hundred at Leeds. I have been a good friend of Neil and his brother Merv since those days. Neil was a fine attacking player and believed that “batting” was looking for runs. He did not think of just occupying the crease. No one used his feet better to get to the pitch of slow bowling better than Neil. I remember seeing him go yards down the pitch to Jim Laker in Australia and playing glorious attacking shots. In addition to his batting he was a fine fielder, either in the outfield or close to the wicket. He had a powerful and accurate throw and was a joy to watch. Neil’s attitude was that cricket should be played to be enjoyed, which he did. A truly great player. Alec Bedser April 1992 I was lucky enough to play a great deal of cricket with Neil Harvey in the eleven years from 1952. He was an outstanding all-round cricketer, a phrase that might raise an eyebrow or two because he bowled very little in his first-class career. Apart from being a wonderful batsman, one of the real “greats” of the game, he was a superb all-round fielder in all positions. In the outfield he had no peer, apart from his cricket he was an All Australian baseball representative and when he was in the covers it was a case of don’t bother with the quick single. When Bob Simpson was dropped from the Australian side and I had to find another first slip I chose Neil. He took some wonderful catches. A great cricketer in any era. Richie Benaud September 1992 3