00:00Under the sweltering son of Gale in 2004, Andrew Simons strode out to the crease for
00:06his much-anticipated Test debut against Sri Lanka.
00:09A hard-hitting all-rounder with a formidable reputation in limiteds over cricket, Andrew
00:14Simons had waited patiently for his moment, his call-up coming after a long and distinguished
00:20first-class career.
00:22167 matches, scoring 10,571 runs.
00:26Accurated with 44 half-centuries and 30 centuries at a healthy average of 42.1.
00:34But test cricket can be a cruel stage, and Gale offered no warm welcome.
00:39Facing his first delivery from the Vili Kumar Dharmasena, Andrew Simons looked composed cautiously
00:45negotiating the opening exchange.
00:47Yet the danger was never far away.
00:49Muthaya Murali Dharan, the master of deception and tormentor of many, sent down a sharp turning
00:56off-spin ball that founded the fainted edge of Simons' bat.
01:00Mahila Jaiwardena, ever alert in the slips, completed the simplest of catches.
01:05Andrew Simons' median test inning lasted only 15 balls, yielding no runs.
01:10A duck-on debut that belied his immense ability.
01:13It was a brief and bittersweet beginning to what the selectors and fans had hoped would
01:19be a fruitful test carrier.
01:21Let's revisit that short but significant moment, Andrew Simons' test debut innings at Gale.
01:27Well, a big moment for that man, Andrew Simons, making his test debut.
01:36And about five years ago, when he had the opportunity to play for England, or become eligible for England,
01:41he had to make a choice.
01:42And I'm sure at this very instant he's feeling as if that decision has been vindicated in the
01:49strongest possible terms, the 388th player to represent Australia at Test Cricket since
01:591876.
02:00And that's not a lot of people over that period of time.
02:03And he comes to the wicket with his sides, just struggling a little at 148 for four.
02:09And there's some new challenge in front of him to face this spin-balling.
02:12The field has not changed, but still got a leg gully and a bad pad in a short mid-wicket.
02:16Andrew Simons to face his first ball in Test Cricket.
02:22And this is the reason to be the lovely Brook Marshall, which is Andrew Simons' intended.
02:28I think they're getting married sometime next month, as soon as this test series is over.
02:35So, it'll be a nervous wait for young Brook there.
02:40There's the hard drive of Andrew Simons might be up, but Brook's might be up as well until
02:48he gets off the mark at least 10,500 first-class runs.
02:54So, he's going to mug with a bat.
03:00He picked in this game to play the all-rounder, not just a bat number six, but he's off spin
03:06as more than anything, although we may see his seamen as he's off, he's more than anything
03:10that will get a run here on this pitch.
03:12And he's giving him out.
03:21Well, that was a very strange appeal, but it turned a long way.
03:26Must have been a little inside edge onto the pad and flew up in the air with a Mahalo J award.
03:32Now, just a stroll around and take it.
03:34A disappointment for Simons, and Morale strikes.
03:40Big spinning-off spinner onto the pads, did a catch of glove on the way through.
03:46There's a bit of a stifle up here from the Sri Lankans, and Rudy Kirsten decides that there's
03:52a bit of glove or inside edge, and Joe Wardner takes a very simple catch there at slip.
04:00Unfortunately for Andrew Simons, he's on his way for a duck in his first test match.
04:07For a duck, so that'll bring Gilchrist to the crease, and, well, really, this is the last
04:19recognised batsman for Australia, Adam Gilchrist, and quite a dangerous customer.
04:25He's out there with Darren Lehman, who's already had a life.
04:27So it's all happening here, the Sri Lankans certainly have had their period of time after
04:37lunch, and that is how Andrew Simons went.
04:42A lot of turns, Simons rushed into the shot, and probably took a glove on the way, and that
04:50was a simple catch to Java on the net.
04:55Well, the Australians have struggled since lunch.
04:57They've actually lost two wickets for 44 runs in 17 overs since the luncheon break.
05:05First hour this morning, they went pretty well, lost one wicket, 50-odd runs.
05:09The second hour, a couple of wickets, and, well, the odds were pretty even in that second
05:16hour, but after lunch, it's been all Sri Lanka, and there's Andrew Simons, first test
05:20match for Australia.
05:21A little bit disappointed there.
05:23Not quite sure whether that looked out or not, but we got a bit of tickle on that.
05:28He didn't look too convincing to us up here in the commentary box, but nonetheless, he's
05:32been given, and Australia is struggling.
05:35Andrew Simons born on 9 June 1975 in Birmingham and passing away tragically on 14 May 2020 in
05:43Townsville.
05:44He was a flamboyant Australian all-rounder who graced the Test Arena from March 2004 to
05:50December 2008.
05:52Across 26 matches, he amassed 1,462 runs at an average of 40.61, including two centuries
06:00and ten half centuries, with a higher score of 162 net outs.
06:05His aggressive approach at the careers was reflected in 154 fours and 28 sixes, striking
06:12at an impressive career strike rate of 64.80, a rare tempo in the longer format.
06:19As a part-time right-on, medium-paced or off-break baller, he delivered 2,094 balls.
06:25He claimed 24 wickets at a bowling average of 37.33, with the best figure of 3 for 50, and
06:32he took 22 catches in the field.
06:34Although his test tenure spanned just five seasons, Andrew Simons frequently provided momentum,
06:40changing innings, and handy overs, particularly thriving in pivotal encounters such as his
06:46unbeaten 162 net outs against India in late 2007 and 2008.
06:51Beyond the raw number, he was renowned for his explosive batting, electric fielding, and
06:57wall-style bowling.
06:58Yet, intermittent discipline issues and off-field controversies limited his longevity in the
07:03red-ball format.
07:04Andrew Simons remains celebrated not purely as a cricketer of outstanding natural talent,
07:10but as an unforgettable game-changer whose passion and athleticism left an indelible mark
07:17on Australian cricket, albeit one that might have scaled even greater heights, had life's
07:23challenges not curtail his journey.
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07:28Thank you very much.
