Taylor's historic decision (24 October 1998)
IT IS approaching the season when the BBC invite us to vote for our various sporting heroes
24-Oct-1998
24 October 1998
Taylor's historic decision
By Robert Philip
IT IS approaching the season when the BBC invite us to vote for
our various sporting heroes. For Overseas Sports Personality of
the Year, may I nominate Mark Taylor?
The Australian captain spurned the opportunity to surpass Sir
Donald Bradman's legendary innings of 334 against England in 1930
(or, indeed, to go on and break Brian Lara's Test world record of
375) by declaring against Pakistan in Peshawar in order to give
his team a better chance of winning the second Test. Taylor
explained his decision not to continue batting while on 334 not
out by saying: "It will be nice to be bracketed with Sir Donald.
It will be my only chance to be compared with him."
Taylor's unselfish decision was above and beyond the call of
duty, for few could have criticised him returning to the wicket
for the short time it would have undoubtedly taken him to reach
the historical Australian mark of 335. In an age of selfishness,
Taylor fully merited this tribute from Australian coach Geoff
Marsh: "He is one of the greatest team men of all time. Everyone
wanted him to bat on, but he put us before his own records."
"I'm no hero," insists Taylor. Oh, yes, you are, cobber . . .
Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)