Famous Cricketers No 40 - Neil Harvey

1946/47 Neil Harvey made his first-class debut aged 18 years 58 days for Victoria against Tasmania at Launceston in a match in which nine Victorian players were new to first-class cricket, including a future Test colleague L.V.Maddocks. In the game following he made his first century in first-class cricket on the last day of December 1946. His 154 was scored in 169 minutes, including sixteen fours and he added 177 in partnership with R.Howard (70) for the third wicket. Later in the month Victoria made their northern Shield tour to Queensland and New South Wales and when G.E.Tamblyn became unavailable Harvey was chosen to replace him in the twelve. Made twelfth man in Brisbane his Sheffield Shield debut followed against New South Wales when he registered a duck in the first innings, drawn down the pitch by leg-spinner Fred Johnston and stumped. His second innings effort was much better, 49 in 53 minutes, and he contributed to a big Victorian score built around a classic 206* by K.R.Miller. Against the M.C.C. tourists he played what good judges thought was the best innings played by a young player against them. His 69 in 124 minutes with 5 fours helped his captain A.L.Hassett (126) to add 120 for the fourth wicket. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 1. Victoria v Tasmania, Launceston, December 25, 26, 27, (28) (Match drawn) c R.V.Thomas b J.I.Murfett 18 314-7d 176 2 69-5 1 2. Victoria v Tasmania, Hobart, December 30, 31, January 1 (Match drawn) st L.J.Alexander b D.J.Clark 154 387 211 1 b C.G.Richardson 14 78-6 262 3. Victoria v New South Wales, Sydney, January 24, 25, 27, 28 (Victoria won by 288 runs) st R.A.Saggers b F.B.Johnston 0 356 329 c R.R.Lindwall b E.R.H.Toshack 49 450-3d 189 4, Victoria v M.C.C., Melbourne, February 14, 15, 17, 18 (Match drawn) c T.G.Evans b D.V.P.Wright 69 327 355 118 5. Victoria v South Australia, Melbourne, March (1), 3, 4, (5) (Match drawn) did not bat - 6-1 222 SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Sheffield Shield 2 2 0 49 49 24.50 - - - Other matches 3 4 0 255 154 63.75 1 1 4 1946/47 5 6 0 304 154 50.66 1 1 4 1947/48 An innings of 87 in 106 minutes with a five and 5 fours against the Indian tourists and a stand of 152 with S.J.E.Loxton (77) for the fourth wicket which helped Victoria to save the follow-on began Harvey’s second season. Another undefeated half century, 56 out of 203 followed for an Australian XI against the tourists at Sydney. In the Shield match at Sydney Ray joined Merv and Neil in the Victorian side. On the last day of the game at Perth, during which Neil shared in a brilliant partnership of 173 in 118 minutes (Neil’s share 94 with 11 fours) with brother Merv he received a telegram asking him to report to Sydney to join the twelve for the Second Test as E.R.H.Toshack had pulled out with a bad knee. Made twelfth man for the Test he was retained in the squad for the next Test at Melbourne and finally made his Test debut at Adelaide in the Fourth Test, his twelfth first-class match. At the age of 19 years and 107 days he was the fifth youngest player at that time to play for Australia. He began his career quietly being lbw to C.R.Rangachari, also making his Test debut, for 13. During the Fifth Test at the age of 19 years and 121 days he equalled the record of H.G.Vivian to become the youngest Test centurion at that time and is still the youngest Australian to score a Test century. He reached the 5