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An all-rounder departs
Keith Ross Miller could be classed as the first all-rounder of contemporary cricket, since the game began its march towards becoming an international sport. A fighter pilot during the second world war, he stood in the team that was tagged "Bradman's Invincibles", in 1948.

It was after the second world war that the game's truly colourful personalities emerged. Sir Donald Bradman led the way to be followed by many Australians, Englishmen and West Indians. Just when the South Africans were beginning to make their mark, they were blown away by their governments "Apartheid policies". They were replaced by India, Pakistan and New Zealand and subsequently Sri Lanka.

This process has taken a different twist in about the past decade. The advent of mass TV coverage, coupled with other media coverage, has meant the scrutiny on the players is vast. Success on the field has become of vital importance. Players and all connected with international cricket have become so very professional. Most of the colour of the players have got washed away. Their focus has simply become one way. Now they are being taught how to become socially captivating human beings.

That was not the way in the days of Keith Miller, for whom playing cricket successfully and living life to the fullest, all came naturally. No doubt skills and techniques were learnt and honed, but his personality and the manner in which he played the game did not change. He was known to be aggressive, flamboyant and daring. He was a colourful and sought after personality off the field and was the game's first "pin up" guy!

Some years later, Sir Gary Sobers arrived. Within a few years he matched Miller's feats and soon overtook them. It was during his early days that Richie Benaud was also in his prime. Benaud was more a bowler, but excelled in batting too. He played in an era when Australia boasted of having some of the best ever batsmen in the world.

Sobers amongst allrounders is the equivalent of Bradman amongst batsmen. The best ever. His skills and performances were unmatchable. For a period of fifteen years or more he delighted cricket fans around the world. He was a natural athlete and an extremely gifted sportsman. Like Miller he was a colourful and sought after personality both on and off the field.

That must be part of an allrounders make-up because such was the influence of four great allrounders who dominated during the late nineteen seventies, nineteen eighties and early nineteen nineties. Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Richard Hadllee & Kapil Dev, players from four different countries, were also great allrounders. The quantity of modern day cricket obviously had an effect on their performances. All being leading fast bowlers had to carry a tremendous work load on their shoulders. They played major roles in the success of their countries' performances on numerous occasions.

Sadly, the game lacks such allrounders today. The forefather of great allrounders is no more. Australians love their sports stars. Maybe, as a kid, the Australian Prime Minister John Howard, would have idolized Keith Miller. He has been honored with a state funeral. The final chapter of a truly admirable allrounder which lasted eighty four years.

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