Mike Brearley

Let's be clear that Greg Chappell, who initiated, who inspired this petition, is not speaking on behalf of the Australian government.

Or Mike Brearley, who signed it in England, along with Michael Arthurton and Nasser Hussain, they're not doing it on behalf of the UK government.

So Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsalkar, I think at least they've been at pains to explain that they're not trying to stick their nose into Pakistan's politics.

But they are, you know, looking for a more humane approach to Imran Khan.

I mean, you know, funnily, it was interesting actually because i- in that...

I mean, Mike Brearley was my first captain, and he was very good at dealing with different characters.

Mm.

And then Mike Gatting took over.

if he's a great tactician.

[laughs] Well, I, I suppose people would probably argue that, that Mike Brearley, for instance, you know- Yeah ...

he, he, but he w- but he was...

He used to get under the skin of the Australians so easily.

Mm.

And Mike Brearley handled him well.

He'd bat sensibly for a bit, and then he'd start smashing the balls out into the road so we couldn't find them and...

But in the end, he had nobody to bowl at him.

Um-

What are your memories of the Headingley '81 test match?

Oh, the Headingley '81, we were losing the match, and I remember him at tea time, he said to Mike Brearley, "How do you want me to play?" And Mike went like, shook his hands, kind of however you want.

Mm.

What's interesting to me is that, you know, the list includes, obviously, generated by Greg Chappell, an Australian.

We've got some of the English captains from my, my time, starting with Mike Brearley, Mike Atherton.

You've got Australians.

You've got Indians, Sunil Gavaskar, who's an immensely well-respected figure.

What's interesting to me is that, you know, the list includes, obviously generated by Greg Chappell, an Australian.

We've got some of the English captains from my, my time, starting with Mike Brearley, Mike Atherton.

You've got Australians, you've got Indians.

Sunil Gavaskar, who's an immensely well-respected figure.

Total relief.

Then second innings, Mike Brearley and I made 80 odd, won the match.

That's what it's about, win the match.

Mm.

Batting.

Oh, Christ.

As we went out, that's when Mike Brearley asked me, "Do you mind if I take first ball?" I said, "No way." I was feeling...

I was glad to get other end.

No, there is.

Mike Brearley's already written it.

Mm.

But, but yeah, so I do think those sorts of players are really important, and nothing but respect for him-

G'day.

My name's Mike Whitney.

I played for the Randwick Cricket Club in Sydney, and got to play for New South Wales, uh, in the Sheffield Shield in first-class cricket for 14 seasons, which was just amazing.

And had the wonderful opportunity to play 12 tests and 38 one-day games for Australia, um, which was a boyhood dream.

[laughs]

Many will remember him on such shows as Who Dares Wins, Sydney Weekender, and Gladiators.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mike Whitney.

Mike, welcome.