Keith Miller

Keith Miller, one of the game's best all-rounders and most entertaining characters, is dead. The Sydney Morning Herald has a tribute, but I thought I would add my own.

There are many stories attributed to Miller; the devil-may-care fighter pilot who once crash-landed his plane at 11am and joined a game of cricket at noon; the length of his run-up which was usually dependent on how he had spent the previous evening; the day he let himself be bowled for nought just to show his team-mates that he really didn't give a damn. But my favourite story is about the only time he was allowed to captain Australia. He led his team-mates out onto the field and strolled off to slip. His team stood around in confusion, waiting for Miller to tell them which positions to take up. One of them pointed out that Miller hadn't actually told them who was 12th man and that there were infact twelve of them on the field. Miller glowered at his team; "right, one of you bastards piss off and the rest of you scatter."

Keith Miller. Born 1919. Died 2004. Right-handed batsman, right-arm fast bowler. 55 tests, 2958 runs at 36.97 and 170 wickets at 22.97. Last of the great entertainers.