Carl Rackemann, the blonde and balding Queensland fast bowler, had a choice to make when
he was invited to join the rebel Australian tour to South Africa in 1985-86. Either he could stay
in official cricket and work towards building his own reputation as an international cricketer;
or he could earn a lump sum big enough to buy a new tractor for his farming parents. It did not
need much thought. The chance to give something back to the hard-working couple from Wondari
who had not only battled with the land to bring up their son but had driven miles through the Bush
to deliver the youngster to trials and youth matches was the only option. The Rackemann's got their
tractor, Carl got a ban from the Test scene when he has at his fast bowling best. Rackemann had
made his Australian debut against Bob Willis' 1982-83 England team.
The following summer he took 5-32 in eight overs and 6-86 in an innings victory over Pakistan
in Perth, but lost his place on the return of Dennis Lillee. In West Indies in 1984 he took 5-160
in his only Test in Antigua. He returned after his ban against New Zealand in 1989-90, having
toured England in 1989 but missed the Test series through injury. The force he was likely to have
been in Australian cricket is shown by his two unofficial tours of South Africa. In 1985-86 he took
5-118 and 3-28 in the Durban Test, with Graeme Pollock, Kenny McEwan and Clive Rice among
his victims. He took eight wickets at Cape Town and 8-48 and 4-10 in Johannesburg. In 1986-87
he took 3-70 and 3-54 at Johannesburg. (Bob Harragan)