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Greg Campbell came into the Australian team at the wrong time for his
career prospects. He had the makings of a good all-rounder, particularly
in ODIs, as a hard hitting lower-order batsman and a bustling seam
bowler. Unfortunately for him he had to compete with the likes of Steve
Waugh and the mighty hitter Simon O'Donnell. He could not establish a
regular place in Allan Border's fast-developing team and fringe
Australian players can rarely hang around playing provincial cricket for
more than a few years. Campbell had been playing for Tasmania for only
three seasons when he was chosen for the Ashes tour of 1989. He looked
as if he was about to fulfil his promise and the first Test at
Headingley saw him bounding in from the football end as part of an
all-seam attack. He was needed as a batsman and took 1-82 and 0-42.
His
only wicket was Derek Pringle, given out lbw. For the remaining Tests
Border wanted some spin and the enthusiastic Campbell had to give way.
Sri Lanka toured Australia in the southern season and a Test match went
to Tasmania's new ground in Hobart. Campbell was chosen and given the
chance to take the new ball with Terry Alderman. He had the respectable
figures of 2-41 and 3-102. He also got into the team for the second Test
against Pakistan on the batsman's paradise in Adelaide with Merv Hughes
as his new ball partner. He took 3-79 and 1-83, Rameez Raja and Javed
Miandad being among his victims. His last Test was against New Zealand
in Wellington, when he took 2-51 and 1-23. (Bob Harragan)
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