Ashes anniversaries: Armstrong’s Australians A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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This winter marks the centenary of the Australian team’s record-breaking feats under Warwick Armstrong’s leadership. After regaining the Ashes at home 5-0, it then retained them away 3-0.
Its eight consecutive victories is an Ashes record. It was a world record until the West Indies broke it in 1984. Armstrong is still the only captain to have led a team in eight or more matches without a single defeat.
It’s timely to acknowledge those achievements a century later, and also to consider how his side that went to England might fare today. How strong was it, and how good a captain was Armstrong?
Australia s greatest: Victor and the Don theroar.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theroar.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Australia s greatest: Victor and the Don A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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“Many a time when Trumper was batting and the team was in a safe position some player in the dressing room would call out ‘Vic’s 95, or 96 … Who’s in next?’”
I had a great chuckle when I first came across this remark which sounds like a good old-fashioned yarn and not something to be taken seriously.
As a matter of fact I have investigated the claim and discovered that it is not apocryphal. Australian wicketkeeper Hanson Carter made the remark in the vicinity of a young and impressionable Warren Bardsley, who recalled the event 20 years later in his memoirs.