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Bruce Francis, a free scoring opening batsman, was the only
specialist chosen to partner Keith Stackpole on the 1972 tour of England
under Ian Chappell. He lost his place after three Tests and Australia
had to settle for makeshift openers, without success. Francis first
played for New South Wales in 1968-69, and spent three seasons with
Essex between 1971 and 1973 where he was only reasonably successful. No
doubt it was his experience of English conditions that attracted the
selectors, who had a full hand of middle order bats but no openers to
replace the recently retired Bill Lawry.
Francis played in the first two
Tests of the Rest of the Wortld Series which replaced the cancelled
South African tour of Australia in 1971-72, but lost his place. No one
claimed it in the remaining matches, so he got his place on the England
tour. In the first Test at Old Trafford he made 27 and took part in a
useful opening partnership of 68 with Stackpole, but from then on it was
down hill. In the second innings he was lbw to John Snow for 6, and the
Snow Man bowled him for 0 at Lord's. After 10 at Trent Bridge he was
replaced by Ross Edwards, who had been prolific in the middle order but
got a pair in the fourth Test. In the fifth, all-rounder Graeme Watson
took over the hot seat, again without success.
Australia were not to
develop another Test-class opener until the arrival of Rick McCosker
three years later. In 1972-73 Francis toured Rhodesia with the
International Wanderers, and was a member of the D.H.Robins side which
toured South Africa in 1973-74 and 1974-75. (Bob Harragan)
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