Name:

Harvey, R Neil

Nickname:

Ninna

Date of Birth:

08 Oct 1928

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Fitzroy, Melbourne

Career:

Test: 1948 - 1963
First Class: 1946 - 1962

Teams:

Australia (Country)
VIC (Regional)
NSW (Regional)

Neil Harvey: A Profile

Neil Harvey: Best ever Australian left-handed batsman

Neil Harvey was born on October 8, 1928 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria. He belonged to a cricketing family of 6 brothers who played club cricket, 4 of whom played first class cricket with Neil and Mervyn playing for Australia. A gifted young batting prodigy, Neil Harvey made a century in debut in club cricket, first class cricket and made his debut century in his 2nd Test in 1948.

In the post Bradman era of the 1950’s, Neil Harvey ranked as the top Australian batsmen for a long sustained period and was probably its best ever left handed batsman. Impeccable footwork unfailing judgment and attacking cricket were his hallmark. Neil Harvey was an electrifying batsman who thrilled spectators with the splendour of his strokeplay.

His breakthrough century at 19 years of age against India in 1948 earned Neil Harvey selection on the 1948 tour to England and changed his life for ever. Speaking about Neil Harvey's selection, Don Bradman stated that "He has the brilliance and daring of youth, and the likelihood of rapid improvement." At first, Neil Harvey struggled in alien English conditions, failing to pass 25 in his first six innings. After indirectly asking Don Bradman about his difficulties through his mate Sam Loxton, he was adviced avoid hitting the ball in the air. Bradman said "He was technically perfect in his shot production. He was batting well enough and simply getting out early.

In the Leeds test, Neil Harvey came to join Bradman in the second innings at the fall of Keith Miller’s wicket. 4 runs were required, with 15 minutes left in the famous chase of 404 runs. Bradman was batting serenely on 173. With one ball to come, the 19 year old Harvey was expected to defend it – leaving the winning runs to his illustrious captain. Instead, Harvey stroked it away to the boundary…and the great man missed out on getting his all-time batting average of 100.

On the 1949/50 tour of South Africa, Neil Harvey’s unbeaten 151 at Durban is regarded as one of his finest Test innings. Having being dismissed for 75 in the first innings, Australia had slumped to 3/59 in pursuit of a victory target of 336. On a crumbling pitch, the Australians were having extreme difficulty with the skilful spin of Hugh Tayfield . Neil Harvey adapted his game to play a patient innings, guiding his team to an improbable victory on a difficult wicket.

Harvey was vice captain to Richie Benaud from 1957 onwards.

One of Australia's all-time favourite cricketing sons, Neil Harvey was a gifted left hand batsman, brilliantly athletic fielder, and occasional off spin bowler who served in cricket in the capacity of player and administrator between 1948 and 1978.

Source: CricketCrowd Staff Reporter