Kepler Wessels 162 on test debut 1982/83 vs England at the Gabba

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Sports

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• ASHES
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[Swannerator]

This Australian record for most runs in a debut test (208) was just broken by Shaun Marsh in Colombo. Still one hell of an achievement!

[robelinda2]

@Swannerator Most runs in a debut test? Marsh only got 81 today. That can't be a record seeing as he got 141 in the last test. Wessels got his runs in the one test, this is Marsh's 2nd test.

[shadowzone69]

@robelinda2 I think he meant, Marsh had the highest Average at a time by an Australian surpassing Wessels

[robelinda2]

@shadowzone69 Thats not what he said by any stretch of the imagination.He quite clearly said "most runs in a debut test", not much doubt there what he was talking about.

[Swannerator]

@robelinda2 True! I don't know what I was thinking there! I'd heard something about averages in debut series by Australians and must've somehow garbled all of that together. Hmmm, pays not to post when half-asleep, I suppose. :)

Nevertheless, great video of Wessels, I was only a kid when he debuted for Australia, but still remember watching it! Also remember his gutsy century against the Windies at the SCG a couple of years later. Disgraceful stuff by the ACB at the time to let him go.

[robelinda2]

@Swannerator Its all cool man. I love Wessels, loved his batting for Australia. Was sad when he defected to the Rebel Aussie side in 85/86 after the 85 ashes tour, weird that he didn't play for the SA rebel side until 86/87. The ACB should've offered him a nice contract after the 85 ashes but they hung him out to dry, he had no choice but to play for the rebel sides in 85/86. Stupid Aussie board.

[grezzbop]

@MrCains820 i also agree with you on the aesthetics of Kepler's batting.

[grezzbop]

@MrCains820 re: South African born Australian players - that's a good question. i was thinking of the same thing while i was watching this clip. i can't think of any in my lifetime (mid-60s on) but they may have been some prior to that.

Murray Goodwin was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in Perth, and played for Zim. he might have played for Australia if he hadn't have played for Zim. but pretty hard to break into the late 90s test side.

[Swannerator]

@robelinda2 Cheers mate. :) Yeah I totally agree with you on Wessels and the way he was treated by the ACB in 1985. I was gonna say as much, but I ran out of characters in my previous reply.

[Swannerator]

@shadowzone69 Yeah that's it!! I somehow got it all jumbled up before I posted my comment! :/