Canberra, Australia – It was more than 30 years ago that Greg Rowell, a former Australian first-class fast bowler now turned successful lawyer and Cricket Australia administrator, delivered a performance that would remain a highlight of his cricketing career. In the 1991 Prime Minister’s XI match held at Manuka Oval, Rowell not only showcased his bowling prowess but also made a memorable mark by dismissing future cricketing superstar Sachin Tendulkar.
At the time, Tendulkar was an 18-year-old burgeoning talent, not yet the international cricket icon he would soon become, overshadowed in fame by teammate Ravi Shastri. Rowell, who was only 23 at the time and on the verge of breaking into the Australian national team, ended the match with striking figures of 7 for 27. His performance included taking the wickets of both Tendulkar and Shastri, two key players in the Indian lineup.
Reflecting on the game, Rowell admitted he didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of dismissing Tendulkar, who was yet to etch his name into cricketing lore with the remarkable feats he would achieve later on. “By the end of the series, I would know who Tendulkar really was,” Rowell said, acknowledging the master batsman’s ascent in international cricket that followed shortly after their encounter.
The Prime Minister’s XI games have long served as a crucible for emerging Australian talent to demonstrate their abilities while competing against visiting international teams. These matches, televised nationally, provided young hopefuls like Rowell an invaluable stage to perform and impress potential selectors and the broader public.
The 1991 game was particularly notable not just for Rowell’s performance but also for featuring other future Australian cricket luminaries such as Shane Warne, Damien Martyn, Matthew Hayden, Michael Bevan, and Damien Fleming, who would all go on to illustrious careers.
This tradition of the Prime Minister’s XI matches continues today, fostering friendly competition and camaraderie among players from different nations. Recently, the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, participated in one such match, maintaining the decades-long custom. During the event, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese humorously chatted with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli about Kohli’s memorable century in Perth that had previously tormented the Australian team.
Dating back to the inaugural match in 1951, arranged by then-Prime Minister Robert Menzies against the touring West Indies team, the Prime Minister’s XI games have been significant in promoting cricket and nurturing talent in Australia.
These games not only highlight the enduring spirit of cricket but also encapsulate the shared history and rivalry that continue to enrich the sport, making each encounter a cherished memory for players and fans alike.
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