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`Invincible' Aussie cricketer Bill Brown passes away at 95

When Steve Waugh inaugurated the custom of a former Australian Test cricketer presenting baggy green caps to new selections, his choice settled without hesitation on Bill Brown.

Brown was puzzled. Yes, he had batted with Don Bradman; captained Australia too. But shouldn't they get someone important? He was just a battler, really.

On the contrary, insisted Waugh: "Bill is a baggy green icon who represents all that is good about playing for your country. He is humble, self-effacing and respectful, proud to have been afforded the honor of being an Australian Test cricketer, and a man who always looks for the positive in people."

Waugh looked on delightedly as Brown, who has died aged 95, settled a cap on Adam Gilchrist, feeling the old man's "emotion and pride."

Curiously, an Australian who played cricket less like the bristling, bustling Waugh can hardly be imagined: Brown, born in Queensland but brought up in New South Wales, was a slight figure with a light touch at the crease, a serene man who made friends easily and lastingly, among opponents as well as teammates.

Brown was amused by his late celebrity yet he was a better player than he let on, with an average of 51 to show for his 13,840 runs in 189 first-class games, and of 47 for his 1,592 runs in 22 Tests.

He shared in the first Australian double-century opening partnership: 233 with Jack Fingleton, at Cape Town in 1936.

"Immaculate, calm and old-headed," thought Neville Cardus: "His cricket is perpetually keeping an appointment leisurely with moments to spare. Does the bat have an engagement this over with a half-volley? Very well, then, put it down in the book. We'll be there for it. Plenty of time."

Brown made a century in his first Test at Lord's in 1934, and a double-century there four years later. The latter, an unbeaten 206 in 375 minutes out of 422, came when Australia were under the cosh, chasing England's 494, and secured a draw that underwrote a successful Ashes defense. He was on the field from the start of the match until 5pm on the fourth day.

Brown made 1,057 runs in 11 innings of the subsequent home summer -- more even than Bradman. But thanks to the war, during which he served in the Royal Australian Air Force, he would be 33 when next he toured, leading Australia to New Zealand and won only five more caps at irregular intervals over the next two and a half years before his retirement.

Brown formed part of Bradman's much-feted "Invincibles" in England in 1948, scoring eight centuries, although he had only a modest impact in his two Tests. He enjoyed a story of the team's opening game at Worcester where sawdust was applied to damp run-ups.

"Ere, go easy with yon sawdust," a spectator called. "You're wasting a full month's ration of sausage meat."

Brown made less of his achievements than his misadventures, such as when he played a ball on to his stumps at in Adelaide in 1938 without dislodging a bail. He turned his 27 at the time into an unbeaten 174, apologizing guiltily all the way.
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