The big hitting Victorian Simon O'Donnell provoked many a cheer with
his huge straight sixes in Australia's cause - but none of the applause
matched that which greeted him at Perth in January 1989 when he came
back after defeating cancer. He was laid low after the World Cup final
in 1987, and few who heard the prognosis ever thought to see him on the
cricket field again. He never played another Test, but for several years
was the first name on the teamsheet when Australia's one-day team took
the field. He was certainly one of the most destructive hitters in the
history of one day internationals and also bowled fast-medium well
enough to take the new ball. O'Donnell could probably have been a
regular Test player, but he had the misfortune to be involved in the
disastrous Ashes series of 1985, then missed the Australian rebuilding
period because of his illness.
On his debut at Headingley in 1985 he
took 3-37, then scored 48 at Lord's, 46 at Trent Bridge and 45 at Old
Trafford. His bowling, though, was largely inneffectual and after
failing with the bat as well at Edgbaston he was dropped for the last
Test. He played against New Zealand in Sydney in 1985-86, scoring 20 not
out, but was dropped again. In the 1987 World Cup he took 4-39 against
Zimbabwe in Madras and 1-35 in the final against England. Some of his
later big-hitting exploits included his 66 in 43 balls against New
Zealand in Melbourne in 1991 and 71 not out against England later that
same year. In later years he hosted a horse-racing programme on
Australian television. (Bob Harragan) .
|

Simon is pictured above during his innings of 46 in the drawn 3rd Test against England at Trent Bridge,
Nottingham in July 1985. Photography taken by George Herringshaw. ©
|
Date |
Test |
Venue |
Opp. |
1st Inns |
2nd Inns |
Batting |
Ct |
Result |
|
13/06/85 |
1 |
Leeds |
Eng |
27-8-77-1 |
15.4-5-37-3 |
0 & 24 |
0 |
Lost |
|
27/06/85 |
2 |
Lord's |
Eng |
22-3-82-1 |
5-0-10-0 |
48 & 9* |
0 |
Won |
|
11/07/85 |
3 |
Nottingham |
Eng |
29-4-104-1 |
10-2-26-0 |
46 & dnb |
2 |
Draw |
|
01/08/85 |
4 |
Manchester |
Eng |
21-6-82-0 |
dnb |
45 & dnb |
1 |
Draw |
|
15/08/85 |
5 |
Birmingham |
Eng |
16-3-69-0 |
dnb |
1 & 11 |
0 |
Lost |
|
22/11/85 |
2 |
Sydney |
NZ |
6-2-13-0 |
5-4-4-0 |
20* & 2* |
1 |
Won |
Summary of all matches
M |
Runs |
HS |
Ave |
100s |
50s |
W |
BB |
Ave |
5w |
Ct |
6 |
206 |
48 |
29.43 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3-37 |
84.00 |
0 |
4 |