.svg){kind=small}
Former Australian captain Allan Border is known for his left-handed batsmanship. He is one of the most well-respected cricketers who has achieved heights within a short period of time. He stands tall at 1.75 meters and possesses great skills as a left-handed batsman.
He set a groundbreaking record of 11,174 Test Runs throughout his career, which was later broken by Brian Lara in 2006. He made 27 centuries in his entire test career, which shows his expertise in the field. He is not only a trusted batsman but also an impressive slow left-arm bowler.
Allan Border lived in a suburb of Sydney and grew up with three of his brothers. He was born to a wool classer, and his mother worked in a corner store. While living a normal middle-class life, his spark for the game ignited. He initially played cricket in his backyard and practiced for hours. Even though he played with other team members 2-3 years older than him, he was no less than anyone else. His journey began, and his skills started to get noticed. He was coached for his interstate tournaments by Barry Knight, a former England international player.
His exceptional performance caught the attention of selectors, which paved the way for his future success as a cricketer and his selection in the NSW team. He made full use of this opportunity. Border went on to make 600 runs in the grade cricket matches with two consecutive centuries.
Border's rise to prominence was something that was bound to happen. He gave up his job as a clerk to focus properly on the Gloucestershire Western League in 1977. His test series career and his exceptional performance marked the start of his league. During the 1977–78 season of the Sheffield Shield, he scored a whopping 617 runs (an average of 36.29 runs)
After Australia's unfortunate loss in the first two test series (the Ashes series), the board decided to mend its ways. This resulted in the selection of Allan Border. However, his start was not highly appreciated. He got stumped out at just 29 runs, causing him a lot of setbacks. In the innings that followed, his performance refused to improve significantly. This led the Board to rethink its decision, and Border was dropped from the team for the next test series. However, he regained his position and consequently played all 153 test matches henceforth.
After he was selected, he made sure to make extensive use of the opportunity given to him. In just a short span of 354 days, Border managed to make 1,000 test runs. He was a record-setter as the first Australian to do so. Also, to achieve this in just the first year of his career should be highly appreciated.
Just like every successful journey, Border had his own share of difficulties. The commitment to play with a fractured finger is worthy of appreciation. However, he went on to score 123 unbeaten, which gained him massive respect around the world. He was declared the best left-handed batsman in the world by Leonard Hutton when he scored a total of 533 in one single series. This result led him to win the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1982.
After the departure of Kim Huges and his inefficiency as a captain, the position was looking for its rightful owner. The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) appointed Allan Border as captain, giving him great responsibility. Unfortunately, the board was not happy with Border’s performance as captain. As there was no obvious replacement for Border later on, the ACB decided to support the team with a permanent coach. Former Australian captain Bob Simpson was offered this position. He agreed to take it up and came to the rescue.
Nevertheless, the unexpected victory of Australia in the 1986 World Cup cleared many doubts. Border's performance was highly appreciated when he hit 205 in the drawn Second test at Adelaide. This score was a record-breaker, as he bypassed Greg Chappell as the highest run scorer.
Border’s career in International cricket is remarkably impressive due to his competitiveness. Even though he was very Optimistic about the 1991 tour of the Caribbean, it was quite the opposite. He could not lead Australia to victory, and the West Indies won 2-1. This was one of the most regrettable matches of Allan Border's career.
There was a controversy between the Australian Selectors and Border, which was very upsetting and unjustifiable for him. The team was bound to change, and many players were asked to step down from their positions. New players were introduced, and Border was not in favor of this decision. Border refused to travel to Perth with the team but remained consistent with his batting. He made sure not to compromise on his game due to any other external factors.
Border was an excellent team player, without any doubt. He always aimed to keep the team's spirit high and unite them all as one. Even though there were controversies and misunderstandings, he balanced them out effectively. He was known to keep a close connection with his teammates due to his amiable nature.
Outside of cricket, Border had diverse personal interests and hobbies. With the experience of being a great batsman, he was offered to be a selector for the Australian team. He took up this position from 1998 to 2005 but couldn’t continue due to business commitments.
Allan Border's contributions to cricket in all forms are highly appreciated by fans from all over the world. His powerful batting skills and the ability to be resilient throughout made him different from the rest. Loyal fans of the game continue to cherish his efforts and the memorable tournaments he has played.
Allan Border leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of cricket. His successor, Mark Taylor, fulfilled his regret of not winning against the West Indies. Even though his journey was never easy, he kept his head high throughout. He has set high standards for the youth to achieve greater success. To commemorate his success, two playgrounds have also been named after him to show the utmost respect for his talent.
No matter what the situation, the contributions made by Border to Australian cricket cannot be overlooked. Even though his career was overshadowed by setbacks and controversies, he never failed to outshine them. In his journey full of hardships and dedication, world records and victories were an obvious addition.
Throughout his career, Allan Border set various world records and gained immense respect around the world. He was the first player to play 150 Test matches. He scored a whopping 11,000 Test runs in total, considering his cricket career. This record, however, was broken in 2005 by Brian Lara. He captained in 93 test matches, which gave him another world record under his name.
He also owned the record for scoring the most runs as a captain. This record, however, was broken by Graeme Smith later on. These awards were a testament to his ability to turn matches around single-handedly with a bat. All of these awards should not only be attributed to his gameplay but also to the hard work that went into it.
One of the biggest achievements of his entire career was the Allan Border Medal. This is a renamed version of the Australian Cricketer of the Year award and is bestowed on the most deserving annually. He was also the recipient of the Queenslander of the Year award in 1994. Lastly, his addition to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame made his journey even more memorable.
Allan Border's cricketing journey was filled with highs and lows, but his legacy extends beyond Cricket. He was even bestowed with a bronze statue made by Linda Klarfeld (at The Gabba on December 7, 2021). This honor is well deserved when his perseverance and dedication to the game are noticed.
FAQs
When did Allan Border make his Test debut?
Allan Border made his Test debut on December 29, 1978, during a series against England.
When did Allan Border make his debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground?
Allan Border made his debut at the SCG against Queensland in January 1977.
Was Allan Border known for his batting or bowling skills?
Allan Border was known for his powerful hitting with the bat as a left-handed batsman.
Did Allan Border receive any major awards during his career?
Yes, Allan Border received several awards throughout his career across different formats of the game.
What was Allan Border's playing style?
Allan Border was known for his gritty and determined batting style. He was a technically sound batsman and possessed the ability to anchor the innings in challenging situations.
