Greg Rowley, a former Australian first-class pace bowler who has since become a successful lawyer and Cricket Australia official, reminisced about the good old days of the Prime Minister’s XI (PM’s XI) tradition and his memorable moment of taking Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket in 1991.
SOURCE : ZEE
Rowley, now in his mid-50s, was just 23 years old when he played in the 1991 PM’s XI game at Manuka Oval in Canberra. The game was a significant event in Australian cricket, providing a platform for talented youngsters to showcase their skills alongside seasoned players1. Rowley, who grew up in Canberra but played his cricket in Sydney, was looking to break into the Australian team at the time.
Source:- bbc news
The PM’s XI games have a long history, dating back to 1951 when Australia’s then-Prime Minister Robert Menzies initiated the tradition. The games were televised nationally, and for first-class players like Rowley, it was an opportunity to be seen and judged by the entire country1.
In the 1991 match, Rowley finished with impressive figures of 7 for 27, including the prized wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri. At the time, Tendulkar was just 18 years old and hadn’t yet made a significant impact on the international stage1. However, his subsequent performances in the Perth and Sydney Tests would soon change that.
Rowley recalled, “Sachin Tendulkar wasn’t such a big name then; Ravi Shastri was. But by the end of the series, I would know who Tendulkar really was1.”
The PM’s XI game also featured other future stars like Shane Warne, Damien Martin, Matthew Hayden, Michael Bevan, Damien Fleming, Greg Blewett, Jamie Siddons, and Tim Zoehrer. Rowley’s performance in that game was a stepping stone in his career, and he went on to have a successful tenure in Australian cricket before transitioning to law and his current role at Cricket Australia1.
Reflecting on the tradition, Rowley said, “The PM’s XI games were a big deal then in Australian cricket, with talented youngsters rubbing shoulders with seniors and having a crack at the national scene. It was televised nationally, and for us first-class players, it was a game where the country saw and judged you1.”
The tradition continues to this day, with the current Indian team set to play the PM’s XI in a warm-up game at Manuka Oval. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with the Indian team ahead of the match, following the long-held tradition of the PM’s XI1.
Rowley, who is now backing the Aussies to get the job done, said, “It’s always exciting to see the next generation of cricketers get their chance to shine in the PM’s XI game.”
The PM’s XI game remains a cherished part of Australian cricket history, providing a unique opportunity for emerging talents to make their mark and for fans to witness the future stars of the game.
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