McFarlane: Taylor against Hadlee WC vision. (15 Oct 95)

Title: Taylor Slams Hadlee`s Test World Cup Vision Author: Glenn McFarlane Source: Sunday Herald-Sun (October 15, 1995)

Australia`s leading cricketers have given a resounding thumbs down to Sir Richard Hadlee`s concept of a Test match World Cup to decide the No. 1 cricket country.

With the Australians vying with Pakistan this summer for the unofficial top ranking, skipper Mark Taylor does not see the point of adding another cricket event to the already-crammed calendar.

"I think we all enjoy good Test cricket and I don`t think everyone wants to see a trophy up for grabs," Taylor said.

"I suppose it`s up for grabs this year and I think it`s good that it`s like that. We`re the world champions and that means if Sri Lanka beats us then they are.

"I favour the World Boxing Federation system. If you beat the best, then you become the best. That`s my system and people may reject that."

Fellow opener Michael Slater said he had no doubt the Australian team was current world champions after beating the West Indies this year. He said conjecture about who was best was good for the game.

"I don`t think we need a World Cup for Tests to prove it - I think it`s good for everyone to talk about it," Slater said.

Slater will figure prominantly on and off the field this summer. As the country`s aggressive opener, he says he is primed for another big year.

But Slater will also be one of the public faces of the Test campaign after a series of television ads withe the catch phrase, `There`s No Limit".

Slater and 1994/95 International Cricketer of the Year Craig McDermott feature in separate commercials running through some of Australia`s most picturesque and rugged locations.

McDermott`s bowling run-up takes him across Brisbane`s Story Bridge, through Moon Plain in Central Australia, Coober Pedy and the McDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs.

There was certainly no limit to Slater`s performance during the making of the commercial. On camera, he appears to lunge off a 50m clifftop at Fraser Island.

The Australian Cricket Board was not overly happy with the idea for the ads before filming, but ACB chief executive Graham Halbish was delighted with the result.

"Our marketing manager David Fouvy in conjunction with Mojo, our advertising consultants, devised the There`s No Limits campaign to emphasise the spirit, the anticipation, determination, intensity and possibilities of Test cricket," Halbish said at the ACB`s official launch.

"We believe it works very well. It comes from the ACB`s desire to develop a truly Australian theme to build on last year;s resurgence of interest in Test cricket and to encourage a younger audience."