Australian combatants in the first tied test match remain upset and puzzled by Cricket Australia's decision to ignore the 50th anniversary of the event.
The nine surviving members of the Australian team that fought out the memorable battle with Sir Frank Worrell's West Indians in 1960-61, starting with the tied match at the Gabba, were guests of honour at a low-key lunch at the SCG on Thursday held by Cricket NSW.
That they were not feted in Brisbane in December was largely due to CA marketing directives that nothing should be allowed to blur the focus on the first Ashes test, a point of regret for all concerned.
Former test batsman Neil Harvey, also a member of the 1948 "invincibles", made his disappointment plain.
"We were hoping it was going to be held in Brisbane,'' said Harvey. "Cricket Australia in their wisdom said no, the Ashes Test is more important in Brisbane. We won't have it, and NSW Cricket decided they'd have it here during this final Test.
"We would love to have had it in Brisbane but it didn't happen.''
Harvey said the match and series deserved continued recognition as a reminder of test cricket's virtues.
"I don't think it's a step in the right direction because it was such a famous match, the first tied Test match ever,'' he said. "It was the start of one of the best series ever played and I think it should have been recognised on the ground where it occurred.''
Alan Davidson, the left-arm pace bowler who took part in the aggressive partnership with captain Richie Benaud that set the scene for the tie, concurred with Harvey.
"It's disappointing, very disappointing ... I'm wearing the blazer we had for the 40th anniversary (in 2000) which was organised by (former test batsman) Peter Burge and sponsors in Brisbane,'' said Davidson.
"It's disappointing because, let's face it, that tied test was the ultimate in test cricket. It was the first of it's kind. Not only that, it meant so much because it proved that two sides can play like hell for five days, and yet here was this camaraderie.''
