Australia's Worst Ever Test XI

Following on from a previous post about forgotten players, I thought I would try and find Australia's worst ever test XI. This had to be a team that actually took to the field, not just a combination of one-hit wonders and undeserving test caps. The following side played against New Zealand in the Second Test of the 1985/86 season at the SCG, and is my nomination for the weakest Australian side of all-time. It was lacking some players following the South African rebel tours, but nonetheless, it is still pretty poor.

Wayne Phillips
Robbie Kerr
David Boon
Allan Border
Greg Ritchie
David Hookes
Greg Matthews
Simon O'Donnell
Ray Bright
Dave Gilbert
Bob Holland

Any team that has Simon O'Donnell and Dave Gilbert opening the bowling is hardly going to frighten any opposition teams. And the funniest part about this - Australia actually won the test with this lineup, but lost the series 2-1.

The other contendors for the crown would have included the 1912 team captained by Syd Gregory that lacked the Big 6 referred to in my previous post, and also the 'official' teams from the Packer years.

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