Anecdotes from Australia

Wayne Phillips, the former Australia Test batsman, was the keynote speaker at the Sir Donald Bradman Luncheon, held at the MCG on the occasion of Bradman's birthday and he recounted a few anecdotes from his playing days. Greg Baum from the Age was there.

Wayne Phillips made a swashbuckling 159 on debut for Australia and, early in Pakistan's first innings, failed by a fingertip in a gallant and acclaimed effort to catch Mudussar Nazar from Rodney Hogg. He was feeling pretty good about life until Greg Chappell turned to him from first slip and asked gruffly: ''Why do you play cricket if you can't catch the ball?''